Orders rehabilitation of 900 families affected by Man dam
for 12 years, tribal families displaced by Man dam in Madhya Pradesh have been fighting for rehabilitation. On
August 11, the Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court gave them relief by ordering the state to provide two hectares of agricultural land
to adult sons of tribal families displaced by the dam. The judgement was given on a public interest petition demanding rehabilitation of tribal
families of 17 villages submerged by the dam reservoir. The dam, completed in 2005, is in Madhya Pradesh's Dhar district and is one of the 30
large dams in the Narmada valley.
The court directed the state to provide the land within four months. "The villagers' struggle has paid off. About 900 families are likely to benefit
from this judgement," said Chittroopa Palit of the Narmada Bachao Andolan that supported the villagers. Though pleased with the direction of
the court, tribals are aware the state government will not easily allot land to the displaced. In the Indira Sagar Dam case, displaced people are
still waiting to get land despite court directions, Palit said.
Displaced families who had purchased land from the Special Rehabilitation Grant awarded earlier by the Narmada Valley Development authority
will not be given land under this order. "We will challenge this either in the high court or the Supreme Court. Those who availed the grant did so
after a lot of resistance. They wanted land, not money," said Palit.
The state government had forcibly evacuated two villages by demolishing schools and cutting water supply. A two-member committee appointed
by the state for grievance redressal was of little help.
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
.png)
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.