Bhopal: The Government of Madhya Pradesh has urged Gujarat government to reconsider its decision with humanitarian approach for filling Sardar Sarovar Dam upto its full reservoir level. Replying to the recent comment of the Chief Minister of Gujarat in this context, the Minister for Narmada Valley Development of Madhya Pradesh Surendra Singh Baghel said that Madhya Pradesh is committed to follow the provisions of Narmada Water Dispute Tribunal. He informed that M.P. has been providing the water quantum, which has been decided by the award for Gujarat state was supplied to the state in the past and will keep supplying in future too.
Baghel further mentioned that process to rehabilitate about 6 thousand families residing in the reservoir area is still under way. Currently, many families are still residing in 76 villages and it is impossible to rehabilitate them immediately. Besides, Baghel informed that it is obligatory for the Gujarat Government to generate electricity from the share of water of Madhya Pradesh from the 1200 mw river bed power house from the Sardar Sarovar Dam. Despite this the Gujarat government has not been generating 1200 mw electricity since the last 2 years as decided. This has adversely impacted the interest of Madhya Pradesh.
Baghel further mentioned that an objection was raised by the Madhya Pradesh in a meeting of all states held in New Delhi on April 15, 2019 and the stand of Madhya Pradesh was ignored too in a meeting of Narmada Control Authority held on July 18 in Indore. He stated that dialogues held to protect the interest of affected families should not be seen with a political approach.