The SC allowed the Madhya Pradesh government to proceed with disbursement of compensation through cheques, subject to scrutiny by the commission headed by Justice SS Jha.
The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday stayed a Madhya Pradesh high court (HC) order suspending disbursal of compensation to those affected by the Sardar Sarovar project, after Narmada Bachao Andolan leader Medha Patkar levelled serious charges of corruption against the relief managers.
“Why should the HC stop disbursement of compensation?” wondered a Bench headed by chief justice KG Balakrishnan.
The SC allowed the Madhya Pradesh government to proceed with disbursement of compensation through cheques, subject to scrutiny by the commission headed by Justice SS Jha.
The HC had set up the commission last year to inquire into allegations of forged registration of land and corruption in relief and rehabilitation for the people displaced from their land and hearth for the sake of the dam.
MP government lawyer Harish Salve said the high court order was coming in the way of the relief and rehabilitation process initiated after the apex court’s direction.
The high court had on April 24 stayed disbursement of money for oustees after NBA alleged siphoning of money meant for their relief and rehabilitation.
Salve also said the Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) was trying to discredit the relief and rehabilitation package offered by the state government and its sole intention was to stop, anyhow, raising of the dam’s level.
NBA’s counsel Sanjay Parikh objected to Salve’s contentions. Judges asked Parikh about his objection to vacating the HC’s order. Parikh reiterated the charge that there was rampant corruption in the disbursement of money and the Jha Commission was set up to look into this aspect too.
“We are asking you a specific question: do you have any objection that we are staying the HC order?” judges asked the NBA counsel.
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