By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net
Bhopal: The Bharatiya Janata Party, (BJP), ruled Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has stressed the need for optimum utilization of Narmada water for prosperity of Madhya Pradesh, saying that the state government is making sincere efforts in this direction. He said that the requirements of water and power could be met by Narmada water.
Chouhan was addressing a seminar on “ Role of Narmada in Development of Madhya Pradesh” organized by the Free Press newspaper at Indore today. Minister for Public Works Kailash Vijayvargiya; former Union Minister Prahlad Patel; former minister Sajjan Singh Verma and chairman of Sardar Sarovar Dam Corporation P.K. Lahiri also addressed the seminar.
According to an official Press release the Chief Minister said that efforts would be made to bring Narmada water to Malwa region by linking Narmada and Kshipra. Only thermal power plant cannot fulfill the power requirements of the state. Hydel power generation has a significant role to play in this. He said that while dams are necessary to obtain water and power it is equally necessary to ensure that nature is harnessed and not exploited excessively. He said that proper rehabilitation of Narmada oustees is being ensured.
Chouhan said that displacement causes untold sufferings but without it dams are a must for irrigation water and electricity. There is no option. No efforts would be spared to minimize the sufferings of the people displaced due to the dams. Similarly, land would not be acquired by coercion from farmers for industries. It would be made available to the industries only after the consent of concerning farmers on payment of compensation at prevailing market rates, he asserted.
He dwelt on the spiritual significance of Narmada claiming that merely a glimpse of its water washes sinful thoughts of the devotees. The Chief Minister’s address was a unique blend of spirituality and modern development ideology. He said that prosperity followed wherever Narmada water has been utilized to the optimum.
The Minister for Public works department Kailash Vijaywargiya said that the states situated along Narmada banks are going to play an important role in making India an economic world power. This target can be achieved by full utilization of Narmada water before year 2020 in Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. He stressed the need for consensus on development issues.
Former Union Minister Prahlad Patel called for evaluation of utility of dams constructed early on Narmada. He said that the dams should increase and not decrease the ground water level. Chairman of Sardar Sarovar Dam Corporation Lahiri said that water, energy, facilities and entrepreneurship are vital for development. Narmada water would play an important role in pushing the growth rate of India to 10 per cent. Madhya Pradesh is witnessing simultaneous development of agriculture and industry, he added.
At the outset, the Managing Director of Free Press Group J.K. Karnani delivered the welcome address. The Chief Minister released a book “Destination-M.P.” on the occasion. The Chief Minister presented a cheque of Rs. 1.5 lakh towards aid to the family of a journalist Vipin Patidar who died in an accident. He was associated with the Free Press. The aid has been provided by the state government.
M.S. Khichi proposed a vote of thanks. Prof. Mangal Mishra conducted the function. ([email protected])