37143 families of 192  villages rehabilitated

Bhopal, Jan 06: The Rehabilitation and Resettlement work of 37143 families of 192  villages of Jhabua, Dhar, Barwani and Khargone district affected by Sardar Sarovar Project (SSP) is running in last phase and is likely to be completed before onset of Monsoon 2008. The completion of remaining Relief and Rehabilitation work would enable to raise dam height from present 121.92 m to full and final 138.68m height. 

The regional Director Rehabilitation Ram Kinkar Gupta informed that R&R work of 24421 families pertaining to dam height 121.92m was already done and now rehabilitation of remaining families is in progress. He informed that district wise list of villages going to be affected in the next Monsoon has bean published in State gazette and personal notices would be served to affected families by concerning Rehabilitation officers in due course of time.

Out of total 192 affected villages no village is under full and permanent submergence. As much as 80 rehabilitation sites had been developed for the resettlement of oustees. Looking into the need, 8 more rehabilitation sites would be developed. Each affected family is entitled to get residential plot of 90 x 60 feet size free of cost, at rehabilitation sites. Families which refuse the residential plot are entitled to get cash Rs 50,000 in lieu of residential plot.   

It is to note here that SSP has already started yielding benefits to the State with 57 percent share to its power generation. Madhya Pradesh had begged 539 crore units of power till date. The Vice Chairman Narmada Valley Development Authority Pradip Bhargav informed that field officers have been strictly directed to ensure all basic amenities at the rehabilitation sites and to provide all benefits to oustees under the   rehabilitation provisions. Bhargav reaffirmed that Rehabilitation & Resettlement of project affected families had been the top priority of the state government and it would be carried out with full sensitivity.