Modi asks 'Delhi Sultanate' to help adivasis

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has asked the 'Delhi Sultanate' to show sincerity towards the development and well-being of adivasis by writing off interest on its loans.

At the dedication ceremony of Sardar Sarovar (Narmada) Hydro Electric Power Project, Modi urged the UPA government to write off the interests on the loan taken by the Gujarat government for the Narmada Project and contribute to the development of the state and of the nation as a whole.

Commenting on Congress leader Sonia Gandhi's visit to the state, he said, "If 'Delhi Sultanate' writes off the interest then I guarantee that the money will be utilised for the welfare of adivasis".

Comparing the situation of farmers in Gujarat state with those of Andra Pradesh and Maharastra, he said thousands of farmers were compelled to commit suicide in both these states due to shortage of water. While such cases were absent in Gujarat.

"The PM had to rush to AP and Maharastra and announce relief packages but failed to save the lives of several farmers even while many were still committing suicide." Modi said BT cotton farmers in AP and Maharastra were committing suicide while their counterparts in Gujarat were commanding the market and selling their produce to China.

Challenging the Centre, Modi, said,"Gujarat is ready to compete with the 'Delhi Sultanate' at every front. If they have guts then they should come forth and show it by helping the adivasis", he added.

"The time for 'false promises' has passed... The Centre will do nothing for adivasi upliftment. What kind of government would it be that even doesn't waive the interest for its own countrymen?", Modi said.

Madhya Pradeh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan, who was also present on the occasion, agreed with Modi and said: "The Centre sent ministers' team and committes so they could conjure up shortfalls in the project in a bid to obstruct it".

Earlier, the Centre had sent a team of three ministers and also set up a committee to report on the rehabilitation work of the MP government. However, the committee's report came out in favour of the MP government.

The MP government has already rehabilitated 18,000 families and further 24,000 families will be rehabilitated after the dam height is further raised. Currently, the dam height is 121.92 metres, which would be raised to the final height of 138 mt.

Chauhan also asked the Centre to contribute to the growth of the state by helping the population that has been affected by the Narmada Project. He said, "We demand that the government of India give special packages for industrial development on the lines of packages for Uttaranchal".

Chauhan said his government was working on a package proposal that would submitted to the Centre for approval.

The Narmada Project will generate 1,450 Mw of electricity, the major part of which will go to MP as it has a 57 per cent stake under the electricity-sharing arrangement.