NARMADA BACHAO ANDOLAN

NARMADA BACHAO ANDOLAN

Dear Friends/Comrades,

This is for your information and immediate action. The fax numbers are given at
the end. Please circulate widely.


• ASSERT THE RIGHTS OF FISH WORKERS AFFECTED BY THE UPPER WARDHA DAM

• SUPPORT THEIR INDEFINITE FAST AND LONG-PENDING JUST DEMANDS

• WRITE TO THEM IN SOLIDARITY AND THE CONCERNED MINISTRIES FOR JUSTICE

• CONDEMN EXPLOITATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES BY ELITES AND CORPORATES


The struggle by the riverine fishworkers affected by the Upper Wardha dam in
the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra has reached a peak once again with five
representatives of the fish workers having begun their indefinite fast since
July 1st, to assert their rights to the reservoir, while five more have joined
them since yesterday, July 3rd, under the leadership of Maharashtra Pradesh
Bhoi Samaj Sangh, the Chairman, Prafulla Patil and Secretary, Vasudevrao
Surjuse in front of the SDO Office, at Tehsil Morshi Amaravati Dist.

The reservoir of Upper Wardha dam (known as the Nal Damayanti Sagar) in
Amravati district has affected about three thousand families of farmers and
fish workers. However, no rehabilitation, except meager cash compensation came
their way, even in 1980's. While the farmers have had to continue to seek their
entitlements till date, through a torturous process, it is also striking that
the waters of the reservoir are diverted to industrial complexes and cities,
instead of public purpose and irrigation, planned and promised.

The fish workers expected that they would at least get a right to the reservoir
and fisheries. With intense skill and generations' long experience; they
promoted nine co-operative societies that claim to be harnessing the rich
resource, as a measure of rehabilitation, as also bringing in the appropriate
royalty to the Government and State exchequer. It was after a long and strong
struggle that the Government of Maharashtra, through their concerned
Departments and the Chief Minister Mr. Vilas Rao Deshmukh himself promised them
that the fisheries contract would be granted to them. However, the sad story
indicates that since the last 11 full years, the contract is being granted to a
five star hotel owner Mr. Tejpal Arora, who owns the Centre Point Hotel,
Nagpur, each time it was renewed. At one point of time, the Fisheries
Department even asked them to deposit Rs. 2,75,000/- for the contract, which
still lies with the Ministry. They are cheated and the period of lease to the
investor – hotel owner is being extended at each stage. Strong political
support to the hotel owner, who has no right to exploit the natural resources
for private profits, is the reason why in spite of official decisions, the fish
workers 'missed;' the contract every time!

Infact, when the Vidarbha Irrigation Development Corporation issued the
contract to Mr. Singh, the Fisheries Ministry of the State Govt. of Maharashtra
had taken objection and the matter was settled in the High Court Bench at
Nagpur. The Court directed the Government to resolve the matter as per law, in
2007. It's very clear that the Fisheries Department, Ministry of Dairy and
Fisheries has the authority to take a decision in this regard.

Having been deprived and pauperized as 'victims of development', and corrupt
politics, since the contract has again ended recently on the 30th of June, 2008
this year, the fish workers have taken the decision to embark on a fiery battle
through an indefinite fast. Before this action, they have tried all means,
including dialogue with Ministers and bureaucrats. They also met the Hon'ble
Governor of Maharashtra as well as the Hon'ble President of India Smt.
Pratibhatai Patil, who hails from Amaravati, the district, which is the
'battleground' on June 26th, 2008, along with representatives of NAPM, Prabhash
Joshi, Tushar Gandhi and all of us. However, since the final result is still
dodging the fishing communities, they have had to resort to this intense
non-violent action.

The struggle is not limited to the Upper Wardha reservoir alone. In the case of
the Sardar Sarovar (Narmada Project), as well, where the dam is stopped and the
struggle is on, fish workers are raising similar questions against the largest
ever fisheries development project, through a Joint stock Company, which is
being proposed by the High-Level Fisheries Committee.

In Maharashtra people have been raising questions in relation to many
reservoirs and small tanks, as to whether companies or communities have a right
to natural resources. And yet, the due processes have not been fully followed,
nor have the local communities benefited as yet. Who would be the
'beneficiaries' of the large projects, which snatch away large tracts of
people's land, water, forests and even fisheries, is the question that is
raised by the challenging farming and fishing communities all through. WE
DEMAND THAT THE CONTRACT MUST BE GIVEN TO THE NINE CO-OPERATIVES OF THE FISH
WORKERS IMMEDIATELY AND ALL DUE RIGHTS OF THE FISH WORKERS MUST BE GUARANTEED
AND ENSURED BY THE STATE.

This is a call to all to support their just struggle. Please write to the fish
workers through Prafulla Patil and Vasudevrao Surjuse extending your
solidarity. (Fax: 07228-222371) Write to the Sh. Vilas Rao Deshmukh, Chief
Minister, Maharashtra, Sh. R.R Patil, Dy. Chief Minister and Anees Ahmed,
Minister, Dept of Fisheries, Govt. of Maharashtra calling upon them to
consider and concede to the above-mentioned just demands of the fish workers.

With Regards

Medha Patkar
Narmada Bachao Andolan

Fax to:

Sh. Vilas Rao Deshmukh,
Chief Minister, Maharashtra
Fax: 022-22025222

Sh. R.R Patil,
Dy. Chief Minister,
Fax: 022-22022401

Anees Ahmed,
Minister, Dept of Fisheries
Govt. of Maharashtra
Fax: 022-22817040