SC to hear contempt petition with the main case

New Delhi, Jan 19 (UNI) The Supreme Court today directed that the contempt petition filed against authorities overseeing the work at Sardar Sarovar Dam Project for raising the height of the dam to 121.92 metres without completing the task of rehabilitating the dispalced families as per the directions of the apex court, will be heard along with the main matter.

The petitioner Kailash Awasya has sought initiation of contempt of apex court proceedings agasinst A D Bhardwaj, secretary Sardar Sarovar Construction Advisory Committee, government of India, P K Lahiri, chairman and MD, Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd, government of Gujarat, Mrs Gauri Chatterjee, chairperson of Narmada Control Authority, Mrs Veena Chhotray, chairperson,Resttlement and Rehabilitation Sub- Group and Secretary, Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and Rakesh Sahni, Chairman, Narmada Valley Development Authority for raising the height of the dam in violating the apex court directions dated October18,2000 and March 15,2005 to complete the rehabilitation work before raising the height of the dam.

A bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justice D.K. Jain declined to issue notice.

The government of Gujarat has claimed that additional 1450 MW of Thermal Power can be generated which will benefit states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal and additional supply of water can now be made available to 4000 villages which can meet the irrigation and drinking requirements.

Social activist Medha Patkar had launched agitation against the dam under the banner of Narmada Bachao Andolan.

UNI