MP govt told to redress rehab grievances

Bhopal, Feb 21 (UNI) Madhya Pradesh Assembly Speaker Ishwardas Rohani today directed the state government to redress rehabilitation-linked grievances vis-a-vis the under-construction Sardar Sarovar and the Indira Sagar dams on the Narmada.

After the matter was raised during a question hour by Mr Sajjan Singh Verma (Congress), the Opposition was dissatisfied with the reply by Minister of State for Water Resources Nagendra Singh and accused the Treasury Benches of furnishing ''untrue'' informaton. Dr Sunilam (Samajwadi Party) staged a walkout.

Questions and answers were RAISED over the issue for long after which Mr Rohani said if the grievances were not being redressed by a high-level committee, then the government should take a serious initiative at its level.

''I have visited rehabilitation sites where no facilities exist,'' alleged Leader of the Opposition Jamuna Devi.

''The height of dams is constantly being raised and therefore, rehab is a continuous process. A state-level committee has been formed for redressing grievances and the parties concerned are free to move court,'' the Minister said.

Amidst comments by the Opposition, the Speaker said, ''The government should take the initiative itself as a long process will have to be taken recourse to if the court is to be moved.'' UNI