Gujarat, Centre not to go ahead with Par – Tapi – Narmada link project

New Delhi: A delegation of tribal leaders of Gujarat led by State party chief CR Patil today called on union Home minister Amit Shah, Finance minister Nirmala Sitaraman and Jal Shakti minister Gajendrasinh Shekhawas in New Delhi over concerns of local tribals of South Gujarat against proposed Par – Tapi – Narmada river linking project.

After the meeting, State BJP chief CR Patil told media persons that – tribal brothers and sisters were provoked by Congress over Par – Tapi – Narmada project recently in Gujarat, but the fact is this project was started by Congress. Congress party tried to erase the fact that the project was initiated by their governments in the Centre including the government under then Prime Minister Dr. Manomahn Singh.

‘Gujarat MPs, MLAs, ministers today called on Home minister Amitbhai Shah. Finance minister and irrigation minister were also present in the meeting. A representation was made over proposed project. Irrigation minister assured us and said that Gujarat and Maharashtra both states are involved in this project and until both states give us written assurance, the works on this project can’t be started. The announcement in budget regarding this project was formal. If Gujarat is not ready, the project can’t go ahead and it stops here. Whether it is Gujarat or elsewhere, BJP will never take any action against the interests of tribal and will not go ahead with the project that has provision of submergence of any tribal land. I want to assure the tribals of Valsad district who are misled by Congress, that Modi ji as Chief minister and as Prime Minsiter has not alloed anything that may go against the interests of tribals,’ Patil said.

Gujarat minister Naresh Patel who attended this meeting told media persons that the decision has been taken to suspend this project. He said the central government has made it clear that it will not allow the project that involves submergence of tribal land.

Former Gujarat minister and MLA Ganpat Vasava thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bringing amicable solution to this issue. DeshGujarat