E-Paper
The height of confusion
As expected, the Supreme Court has given the various state governments time to file reports on the status of rehabilitation of those displaced by the construction of the Sardar Sarovar dam.
As expected, the Supreme Court has given the various state governments time to file reports on the status of rehabilitation of those displaced by the construction of the Sardar Sarovar dam. It has declined to stay the construction, as hoped for by the petitioner, the Narmada Bachao Andolan. The court’s approach is in keeping with its 2000 judgment when it had ruled that the relocation and rehabilitation (R&R) process must progress parri passu (side by side) with the construction of the dam. At this stage, the court and, at its urging, the Union government, are trying to find that delicate balance between the positions of the states involved and the NBA activists.
The 3-3 tie at the meeting of the Narmada Control Authority on Saturday was on political lines with Maharashtra, the Union Ministries of Environment and Water Resources wanting to stop construction and the BJP-ruled states of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan wanting it to continue. Such positions, amplified by the theatrics and protests of Gujarat CM Narendra Modi, Bollywood actor Aamir Khan and NBA activist Medha Patkar only serve to add confusion to what is a simple issue — rehabilitation of tens of thousands of people displaced because of a project of immense value to tens of millions. The continuing tardiness of rehabilitation is a textbook lesson on how not to leave things to an ill-monitored, incompetent and corrupt bureaucracy. This state of affairs feeds the animosity of those affected who, in most cases happen to be already poor. It also pushes fire-brand activists often opposed in principle to ‘development’ and ends up polarising what ought to be a fairly straightforward process.
It would help matters all round if Mr Modi and his BJP colleagues, the Union government, and whoever else — Mr Khan and Ms Patkar — could collaborate and ensure that the dislocated are able to reconstruct their lives with the dignity they deserve. As the Indian economy gathers steam and its infrastructure demands more land for roads, power plants and factories, there will be similar displacements, perhaps of an even larger dimension. There’s much to learn from the Narmada project and the persistent failure of rehabilitation processes. Perhaps a study could throw up a blueprint on how to go about such projects in the future in a way that is not so corrosive to the nation’s polity.
