Aruna warns UPA against drifting into delusion

New Delhi, Jun 25: Eminent social activist Aruna Roy, who this week quit the National Advisory Council expressing dissatisfaction over implementation of the National Common Minimum Programme(NCMP), has warned the government against the danger of overlooking the ''anguish of the poor and the marginalised in the current euphoria about performance of the economy.'' ''The results of the Lok Sabha elections are ample testimony to how the majority of voters did not see an eight per cent growth rate, as a case of India shining,'' the Magsaysay award winner said in a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in which she gave reasons for her resignation.

She said there could be no doubt that in some cases, such development passes them by, but but there are instances where it was at a great personal cost to them. The Narmada dam and the situation of those it has displaced, is perhaps the most well known of these cases, Ms Roy pointed out.

'' Despite better rehabilitation for tribals being an explicit assurance in the NCMP, even the existing policy and Supreme Court orders were violated as borne out by the report of the GOM constituted by you,'' she said.

''Despite the report of the GOM, apparently for reasons of political expediency, construction on the dam continues at the cost of people yet to be rehabilitated even as per laid out norms.'' As this government considers adopting a new rehabilitation policy, it will have to come to terms with this crisis of credibility and confidence due to decisions taken that violated NCMP assurances, the social activist said in the letter.

Giving one of the important reason for quitting the NAC, Mr Roy said she was very concerned by the attempts from some quarters , within the government, to dilute both the Right to Information Act(RTI) and the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act through a variety of means.

She also perceived, of late, a disinterest in the government about the NAC which she said was beginning to be seen by citizens as forum of public consultation.

''I do think this space has been reduced, there have been no regular meetings of the NAC held in the last four months, '' Ms Roy said.

She urged the government to take a clear and unequivocal position in support of NCMP.

''As someone who sees a great value in the NCMP, I think the space for wide ranging public discussion needs to be preserved and strengthened. I hope that your government will ensure that there will be an increasing number of platforms, through which the opinion of people can becomea part of the policy formulation of the government.''

UNI