F. No. 33/14/2006-Projects

Government of India

Ministry of Water Resources

(Projects Section)

*****

Shram Shakti Bhawan, Rafi Marg,

New Delhi dated the 24^th April, 2006

OFFICE ORDER

Subject:            Constitution of the Sardar Sarovar Project Relief and Rehabilitation Oversight Group

1.      In consequence to the reference made by the Chairman of the Review Committee for Narmada Control Authority to the Prime Minister on 16^th Aprill, 2006 and in the light of observations of the Supreme Court in its order dated 17^th April, 2006, the Prime Minister has constituted the Sardar Sarovar Project Relief & Rehabilitation Oversight Group (OSG) which would verify the status of rehabilitation in Madhya Pradesh of the families affected by the raising of the height of the Sardar Sarovar Dam from Elevation Level (EL) 110.64 metre to EL 121.92 metre.

2.      Responsibility of the Oversight Group

The Oversight Group will report on the status of rehabilitation in Madhya Pradesh of the Project Affected Families to the Prime Minister, through the Minister of Water Resources.  For this purpose it will undertake sample checks to ascertain the facts of rehabilitation.

3.       Specific Terms of Reference

a)      Based on the Reports of State Government ascertain the number of project affected families affected due to submergence caused by the raising of the height of the dam.

b)       Estimate, on the basis of sample checks, the number of Project Affected Families who may not have received, so far, in full measure, the Resettlement and Rehabilitation package as per the norms laid down by the Award and orders of the Supreme Court.

c)       Ascertain, on the basis of sample checks, if offers of alternate land to eligible oustees were made in a fair and transparent manner.

d)      Ascertain, on the basis of sample checks, if such offers were voluntarily refused by such oustees who preferred to accept the Special Rehabilitation Package of the Government of Madhya Pradesh.

e)      Ascertain when all measures of rehabilitation, resettlement and civic amenities as mandated by the Award (para 152 of Supreme Court Judgement of October, 2000) will be in existence.

f)         Recommend a system to ensure that all families affected by an increase in the height of the dam to EL 121.92 metre, receive within the next three months the benefit of the Relief and Rehabilitation package as per the norms laid down by the Award, the relevant orders of the Supreme Court and of the Grievance Redressal Authority of Madhya Pradesh.

4.      Composition

The Sardar Sarovar Project Relief and Rehabilitation Oversight Group shall consist of the following members:

Shri V.K. Shunglu,           -      Chairperson

(Retd. CAB, Gol)

Prof. G.K. Chadha,         -      Member

(Former VC, JNU)

Dr. Jaiprakash Narayan           -      Member

(Convenor, Loksatta)

The Additional Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources shall perform the functions of the co-ordinator for the Oversight Group.

5.       Administrative Support:

The Administrative support for the Oversight Group shall be provided by the Ministry for Water Resources.  The terms of appointment of the Members of the Oversight Group shall be issues separately.   The expenditure of the Oversight Group shall be borne by the Narmada Control Authority.

(INDIRA RAJ)

COMMISSIONER (PROJECTS)

            To:

1.       Shri V.K. Shunglu, Chairperson, OSG

2.       Prof. G.K. Chadha, Member, OSG

3.       Dr. Jaiprakash Narayan, Member, OSG

4.       Additional Secretary (WR), Ministry of Water Resources

Copy for information to:

1.       Chairman, Central Water Commission, New Delhi

2.       Joint Secretary (Administration), MOWR, New Delhi

3.       Joint Secretary to the Prime Minister (Shri R. Gopalakrishnan), Prime Minister's Office, South Block, New Delhi

4.      Chief Secretary, Government of Gujarat, Gandhi Nagar

5.       Chief Secretary, Government of Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal

6.       Chief Secretary, Government of Maharashtra, Mumbai

7.       Chief Secretary, Government of Rajasthan, Jaipur

8.       Principal Secretary, NVDA, Bhopal

9.       Managing Director, SSNNL, Gujarat

10.   Executive Member, Narmada Control Authority, Indore

11.   Secretary, SSCAC, VAdodara, Gujarat

12.   Member (E&R, NCA, Indore

13.   PS to Minister (WR)

14.   PPS to Secretary (WR)

(INDIRA RAJ)

COMMISSIONER (PROJECTS)