Nepalgunj, June 17: A 15-member all-party team of parliamentary Foreign Relations and Human Rights Committee made on site inspection of the Nepalese territory in the bordering area in Banke district likely to be inundated due to the construction of a dam by the Indian Government along the Rapti river.

The team led by committee chairman Som Prasad Pandey included committee members Sushil Koirala, Romi Gauchan, Eknath Ranabhat, Narayan Singh Pun and Shiva Prasad Humagain of NC, Bijaya Subba, Pashupati Chaulagain, Fatik Bahadur Thapa and Chandra Bahadur Shahi of CPN-UML, Govinda Bikram Shaha of RPP, Navaraj Subedi of Rastriya Janamorcha, Narayan Man Bijukchhe of Nepal Peasants and Workers Party.

Lila Mani Pokhrel of Samyukta Janamorcha and MP from Banke constituency-1 Gyanu K.C.. were also in the team.

The team is supposed to prepare a study report on social and environmental impact of the Rapti river dam on the Banke area and submit it to the committee.

The team inspected various places in Holiya VDC which is likely to be affected most by the construction of the dam and observed the process of shifting the families of ward No 7 of Gangapur VDC and ward No 9 of Holia VDC who are mostly affected by the construction of the dam.

It also inspected a portion of the dam constructed in the Indian side just across Holia VDC-4 Khadaichar and ward No 4 Uchawa of the same VDC.

Three hundred and seventy two families—212 of ward Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 in Holia VDC, and 160 in ward Nos. 6 and 9 in Gangapur VDC— which have been badly affected by the construction of the dam are being shifted to ward No 7 Jamuni of Gangapur VDC by providing 10 dhurs of land to each family.

Likewise, the task of surveying of the land has been completed for shifting the seriously affected families of Holiya VDC ward Nos. 6, 7, 8 and 9 and ward No. 1 Santaliya of Betahani VDC to Higher Secondary School at ward No. 9 under Holiya Vdc.

Speaking to journalists after the inspection, committee chairman Som Prasad Pandey said that he wants the problem to be resolved as soon as possible with all-party understanding.

Mr Pandey said that as the dam had been constructed in contravention of the international treaty, agreement and law, the government should take initiative to resolve the problem and make fair arrangements.

Committee member and general secretary of the Nepali Congress Sushil Koirala said that the government of India should seriously consider the problem caused by the construction of the dam. It was regrettable that the Indian Government was indifferent to the problem though the issue was raised at various levels since the beginning.

He appealed for all-party consensus on issues linked with foreign policy, law and order and usage of natural resources, stating that others would take advantage of our weaknesses and shortcomings.

Lilamani Pokherel of the Samyukta Janamorcha said that prior consent should have been taken for construction works to be carried out within eight kilometers of the border but it had not been done so.

The river should be allowed to take its natural course, he said, adding that compensation should be given for the damages caused.

Govinda Bikram Shaha of the RPP said it is a sheer hegemony that the dam has not been constructed by taking consent as per the standards of international border, adding that all the parties should move ahead by making a national viewpoint for national self -esteem and expressed happiness that NC has attempted to move ahead with all other parties.

Nawaraj Subedi of the Rastriya Janamorcha said the government should immediately hold talks with the Indian Government by forging consensus with all the parties.

President of the Nepal Workers and Peasants Party Narayanman Bijukchhe said India should pay compensation as the dam had been built in an unjust manner.

Pashupati Chaulagain of the CPN-UML said the issue should be taken to the international court if necessary.

DDC chairman Omprakash Jung Rana, chief district officer Shyam Prasad Mainali, superintendent of police Arun Singh, district forest officer Prakash Pyakurel, officer of the Foreign and Human Rights Committee Rajendra Sigdel and president of the Nepal Red Cross Society Mrs. Narmada Sharma had accompanied the inspection team.