'Narmada activists to adopt constructive approach'

New Delhi, Sep 1: Leader of Opposition Lok Sabha L K Advani today drew comparisons between the struggles to rehabilitate the Project Affected Persons (PAP) in Narmada and the 1080 MW Tarapur Atomic Power Project (TAPP) in Maharashtra and said it was for all to see the benefits accrued to the nation by adopting constructive approach.

Releasing a book titled 'A Saga Of Struggle', written by former Union Minister Ram Naik at the BJP headquarters, Mr Advani said the story of TAPP which has been commissioned to produce power at its full capacity should draw a parallel with a similar development project like Narmada which not only irrigates the parched Saurashtra and Kutch regions but also gives water to Rajasthan.

Mr Advani said TAPP scheme conceived in 1989 has virtually become a reality providing power to the nation with Mr Naik playing the role of a facilitator as representative of people from Mumbai North Lok Sabha constituency. While the country is getting the much needed power, the PAP of the two villages were being rehabilitated by providing land for land and house for house, he claimed.

''The development and rehabilitation work has gone on simultaneously and the nation is benefitted by this project,'' he said pointing towards Mr Naik's statement that the TAPP was complete six months ahead of schedule providing power at Rs 2.50 a unit as against Rs 2.75 projected initially. As the project was completed before time the project cost was contained in Rs 6,100 crores as against the initial projection of Rs 6525 crore, he added.

He said those who opposed Narmada project first opposed the project saying it was bad and there was a situation where they could not enter Gujarat. They went to Madhya Pradesh pretending to take up the cause of rehabilitation, he added.

''Had they adopted constructive approach like in Tarapur, the parched lands would have got water and the PAP their lands and lives back on rail,'' he said.

Endorsing Mr Naik's suggestion that there should be a law to protect the interests of PAP, Mr Advani said the policies of one government need not bind the next government. However if the policy was passed by the Parliament or legislatures in the states, the citizens would be assured of continuity and the assurances made by the incumbent administration will be binding on future governments also, he said.

BJP Vice President Bal Apte said the credit for TAPP should entirely go to Mr Naik because he doubled as a representative of people and at the same time ensured implementation of the project as an MP and minister in the government. ''He did not hesitate to approach the Court when it was necessary. He is a role model for an elected representative,'' he added.

UNI