GANDHINAGAR, July 18: In a significant development, the Central Government has directed Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan to pay within a month dues to Gujarat as their share towards the expenditure incurred on the implementation of the Sardar Sarovar Project (SSP).Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee communicated this to Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel through a letter on Friday.
The Centre has also decided to directly remit additional Central assistance to Gujarat in consultation with and after due authorisation from the above mentioned States.
The Prime Minister's letter also informs the Chief Minister that the Madhya Pradesh Government will release Rs 40 crore soon to partially meet its share of dues. The Centre's intervention comes in the wake of his meeting with Gujarat Chief Minister recently.
When contacted, Narmada Development Minister Jay Narayan Vyas told The Indian Express that the total share of dues to be recovered by Gujarat from the three states was Rs 965.9 crore, of whichMadhya Pradesh owes Rs 563.68 crore, Rajasthan Rs 231.95 crore while Maharashtra is to pay Rs 169.46 crore.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
