Last opportunity to Centre to clarify its stand on NBA : SC

New Delhi, Apr 2 (UNI) The Supreme Court today directed the Centre to take a clear stand on the allegations that Narmada Bachao Andalon (NBA) led by Medha Patkar is funded by foreign countries to launch agitation against Sardar Sarovar Dam Project and other simliar projects.

A bench comprising Justices C K Thakker and Altamas Kabir issued the direction during the hearing of a PIL filed by National Council for Civil Liberties(NCCL) levelling serious allegations against Medha Patkar and her associates including Rahul Banerjee that NBA was being funded by USA and UK-based foreign companies to put obstacles in the way of national progress.

State of Madhya Pradesh in its affidavit has told the court that in all cases registered against NBA activists charge-sheets have been filed in competent courts and trials are under way. The affidavit further says that present laws are sufficient to take care of the illegal activities of NBA.

State of Gujarat in its affidavit has, however, stated that no criminal case was pending in the state against NBA and two cases registered earlier were later compromised and compounded. The two states have not denied the allegations of involvement of foreign funds in the agitation.

Earlier senior counsel Indira Jai Singh appearing for Medha Patkar alleged that a sustained campaign has been launched against her clients by the media to project them as anti-nationals and she urged the court to issue directions to the media not to report the things prejudicial to the reputation of her clients.

The court did not pass any order on her prayer but granted final opportunity to the Centre to clarify its stand on the issue of foreign funds.

NCCL, an NGO, in its petition has alleged that NBA activists have been preventing the state government officials from performing their official duties and some of them have been physically attacked and the agitationists are getting funds from foreign companies illegally. The NBA led by Medha Patkar has been forcibly preventing the displaced persons from taking possession of land and has demolished hutments and houses built by the state for their rehabilitation.

The NBA has been constantly opposing the construction of Sardar Sarovar Dam on the grounds that no construction should be allowed till all the displaced persons and families are fully rehabilitated.

The height of the dam has already been raised to 141 metres and according to the Gujarat government the dam will help in generating additional power and make available drinking water to around 4000 villages.

UNI