The Supreme Court has severely reprimanded civil rights activist Medha Patkar while clearing the decks for implementation of the ambitious irrigation plan of the Madhya Pradesh government to bring additional 1.47 lakh hectares of land under the Command Area Development Scheme (CADS).

The irrigation project is under Omkareshwar dam project.

A bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan strongly disapproved the agitation being led by Ms Patkar, who is opposing the Narmada Dam project as well as the Omkareshwar dam project and described ‘her views as cynical’.

The apex court also directed Union Ministry for Environment and Forests to submit its report within four weeks after studying the report of the committee.

Ms Patkar has been carrying out strong agitations demanding rehabilitation of the oustees before going ahead with the dam projects.

UNI