Oppn parties support govt move on dam

Environment and Forests Minister Jairam Ramesh’s decision to suspend work on the Maheshwar hydel power project in Madhya Pradesh has found support from an unexpected quarter. Seven parties have jointly written a letter to the prime minister, welcoming the move.

In a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, four Left parties along with Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party and Asom Gana Parishad, have said, “This intervention to ensure prior rehabilitation of the oustees/affected persons will go a long way to constructively address the issue of displacement in development projects.”

The Madhya Pradesh government, however, has written to the PM, demanding revocation of the ministry’s order.