NBA gives ultimatum to Govt on dam height

Narmada Bachao Andolan on Wednesday served an ultimatum to the Government to decide within 48 hours not to increase the height of the Sardar Sarovar dam.

Narmada Bachao Andolan on Wednesday served an ultimatum to the Government to decide within 48 hours not to increase the height of the Sardar Sarovar dam and announce a comprehensive rehabilitation package for villagers coming under the submergence area of the project.

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The NBA also demanded the government make public the report prepared by three Union Ministers led by Water resources Minister Saifuddin Soz, who had visited the villages affected by the dam last week, an NBA spokesperson said.

"We demand suspension of any construction on the dam site unless there is complete rehabilitation of people," he said adding the government should also enact a legislation which would make displacement without rehabilitation illegal.

The decision was taken at a 'Jan Sammelan' -- a meeting of displaced people -- here, he said adding they would submit a memorandum to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in this regard.