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Journalism of Courage
VADODARA, OCT 15: Storm clouds are gathering again over the Narmada. The symbolic kar seva planned near the Sardar Sarovar dam site from November 15 by more than one lakh pro-dam activists to symbolically kick off the digging of an irrigation tunnel is fast threatening to become the new flashpoint in Gujarat-MP relations.
Consider the controversies that have already erupted over the kar seva plans, though kisan leader Sharad Joshi, representing organisations like the Gujarat Khedut Samaj, the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh and Setu, is supposed to meet Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel 8212; the Gujarat government is supposed to be backing him and other leaders quot;covertlyquot; 8211; to finalise the plans only on October 27.
They were referring to the MP government petition seeking a new tribunal and a 19-ft reduction in the dam height. The NBA, too, has filed a petition seeking a total review of and a complete halt to the dam construction.
However, Gujarat8217;s Narmada Minister Jaynarayan Vyas, while admitting the matter was sub-judice, claims that this only concerns the height of the dam.
Former chairman of Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited Sanat Mehta, one of the key organisers of the kar seva, insists that the matter cannot be subjudice since the court is only looking after resettlement and rehabilitation.
So, if the court has no jurisdiction in the matter, why was the irrigation tunnel 8211; a suggestion the Centre and the Central Water Commission came up with to redirect the excess water that drains off into the sea during monsoons to Gujarat villages 8211; not constructed so long? Vyas says it is because MP had told the Narmada ControlAuthority the tunnel could be built only if the dam height was lowered, a statement backed by Behar.
This indicates why the Gujarat government is giving only tacit approval to the kar seva programme. Several senior MP officials maintain this move will quot;set Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh on a confrontation coursequot;. Another adds, quot;It will generate ill-will between the two States.quot;
The MP government8217;s opposition to the tunnel is explained by the fact that its power generation will be adversely affected if the excess water is drained off instead of activating the riverbed powerhouse turbines. If the height is not reduced and the tunnel is built, however, it maintains that fertile land will go under water.
Vyas, while expressing optimism that the kar seva will not force the issue, maintains that the quot;matter will have to be sorted out at some timequot;. However, he is not willing to offer any guarantees on the kar sevaks8217; personal safety. quot;The organisers8217; intentions seems to be good,quot; is all theminister would say.
Mehta, quoting Joshi speaking at an Ahmedabad press conference, says they are ready to face the legal consequences. quot;After all, Medha Patkar8217;s dharna was also a violation of the law,quot; he says. quot;The programme will pressure the Gujarat government and the Centre to build the bypass tunnel within a year.quot;
