MNCs snatcing righs of people : Singh

Badwani, MP, June 9 : Magsaysay award winner and water expert Rajendra Singh has come down heavily on major multinational corporations entering in water business.

''The right of people settled near river banks is being snatched and being given to MNCs,'' said Mr Singh, while addressing a seminar on construction of Sardar Sarovar Dam and water crisis here yesterday.

Mr Singh, who brought about a revolutionary change in several villages in the drought-prone Alwar district in Rajasthan, criticised Water Policy of 2002 and the announcements by the World Trade Organisation in 2003 are against societal arrangements.

He said farmers would require license after implementation of the Groundwater (Control and Regulation) Act.

Asserting the success of 'Jalabhishek Abhiyan' lay in public participation, the 'waterman' accused Indian society of not taking responsibility for conserving water.

He said Sardar Sarovar dam was not proper for water conservation.

Narmada Bachao leader Medha Patkar said submergence was being forced upon the affected without being given proper rehabilitation.

UNI