MNCs' touts a ''hurdle'' to development

Khargone, MP, May 24 (UNI) Shree Maheshwar Hydel Power Corporation Ltd Additional General Manager Lieutenant-Colonel (Retd) A K Singh has said that he ''only respected'' Ms Medha Patkar as a leader of the Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA).

Responding to media queries here last evening about Mr Alok Agarwal and Ms Chittaroopa Palit -- who are associated with NBA -- Lt-Col Singh said, ''I do not know any such person.'' Without naming anybody, he alleged that certain persons were MNCs' touts and a hurdle to the country's development.

''I invite Ms Patkar to render help in rehabilitating those affected by the Maheshwar Hydroelectric Project,'' said Lt-Col Singh. The Project, being constructed in this state's Narmada Valley by the Corporation, is to be completed in March 2009 and will generate 400 MW at a cost of about Rs 2,500 crore.

UNI