Minister for Narmada Valley Development Surendra Singh Baghel said the State Government has taken a decision to give relief to the eligible submersion affected families of the Sardar Sarovar Dam.
An ex gratia amount of Rs 5.80 lakh will be given soon for house to each eligible family, dwelling in tin sheds. With this announcement, around week-long dharna of NBA activist Medha Patkar came to an end on Thursday.
The decision was informed by the Minister Baghel in a high level meeting held with the delegation of Narmada Bachao Andolan at Narmada Bhavan on Thursday. Discussion on water level of Sardar Sarovar Dam and rehabilitation took place in the meeting. After the discussions, the activists decided to call off the protest.
The Minister directed that the decisions taken by the erstwhile Government should be reviewed afresh. Village level committees of submersion affected villages should be formed and monthly meetings should be organised. He informed that it has been told to make payment immediately to the boatmen involved in boat arrangements. For this, amount has been made available at district level.
Baghel mentioned that the payment against damage to crop because of the submergence should be made on priority under the RBC 6 (4) by considering it as natural calamity. The various cases of claim amounts of the affected farmers of submerged area should be settled by coordinating with the insurance companies. After the survey, benefit will be provided as per the eligibility to the eligible submersion affected displaced people, he added.
The Additional Secretary and Vice President of Narmada Valley Development M Gopal Reddy, Commissioner Narmada Valley Development (Field) Indore Pavan Kumar Sharma, Director Administration/
Rehabilitation Sanjay Gupta, Member Power RP Malviya, Member Engineering Rajeev Kumar Suklikar, Member Forest and Environment CK Patil, Member Chief Forest Conservator SD Pateriya and Member Additional Chief Forest Conservator Ashish Kumar were present at the meeting.