Man displaced by Narmada dam ends life

With a man displaced by the Narmada dam committing suicide on Monday, the MP unit of the Congress decided to probe the government's relief efforts.

With a man displaced by the Narmada dam committing suicide on Monday, the Madhya Pradesh unit of the Congress decided to probe the government's relief efforts.

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"Narmada Hydro Development Corporation was responsible for my death," said the suicide written by Santosh Prabhulal Paliwal, a resident of Chanera village. He jumped before a running train to end his life.

Chanera is a village in Narmada valley where the people of Harsood village, which was submerged due to the construction of Sardar Sarovar Dam on the Narmada River, had been "resettled" about two years ago.

Paliwal shifted to Chanera with his wife Jaishree, mother Kamla Bai and two children but found it difficult to make both ends meet.

"Had the government given the compensation, my husband wouldn't have taken the extreme step", said his wife.

Madhya Pradesh Public Works Department Minister Kailash Vijaywargiya, however, said, "Rs.200,000 have already been given to the deceased's wife and the suicide had nothing to do with rehabilitation".

To ascertain the status of rehabilitation and relief provided to the affected people, the opposition Congress has formed an 11-member committee.

The members of the committee include leader of Opposition Jamuna Devi and MLA Ajay Singh.