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Supreme Court disposes off NBA petition on rehabilitation

In a setback to the Narmada Bachao Andolan, the Supreme Court on Monday disposed off its petition seeking to point out that the Narmada dam height was raised without proper rehabilitation of the dam-affected in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.

A three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice B N Kirpal, Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justice Arijit Pasayat said those affected by the raising of the dam had not come to the court.

It said the persons whose land holdings were submerged could go before the Grievance Redressal Authority and also approach the court for 'any justifiable grievance'.

Appearing for the petitioner, advocate Prashant Bhushan contended that the GRA had not visited the affected villages and gave the consent for raising the height of the dam from 90 metres to 95 metres without finding out whether the Project Affected Families have been properly rehabilitated.

The court had two years ago allowed raising of the height of the dam in phases and made it clear that each phase of work could be carried out only after proper environmental clearance and rehabilitation of PAFs.

Appearing for the Narmada Control Authority, Solicitor General Harish Salve said most of the farmers had taken cash compensation in lieu of land.

Complete Coverage: The Narmada Dam Controversy

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