Nasik, June 05: Narmada Bachao Andolan leader Medha Patkar today claimed that the Maharashtra government had conceded their demand for rehabilitation of tribals affected by Sardar Sarovar project, but decided to continue her indefinite fast till all the demands were approved by the state cabinet. Patkar, who was forcibly admitted to civil hospital here yesterday by police after her condition worsened on the sixth day of her fast, was stable and cheerful today, hospital sources said.

Talking to reporters at the hospital here this evening, 48-year old Patkar, who was on fast since last Friday, claimed the Government has conceded NBA's main demand during its activists' meeting with Chief Minister Sushilkumar Shinde in Mumbai yesterday.

The Government has agreed to rehabilitate all the affected people, keeping away the dispute of "undeclared and declared" beneficiaries, she said.

The Government has also accepted NBA's demand of not distributing lands without consulting the affected people and to make village-wise planning for rehabilitation instead of taking up individual cases, Patkar claimed.

She also claimed that during the discussion Shinde expressed surprise over the permission given to increasing the dam height by 100 metres and said secretary level officer V N Lal, allegedly involved in giving the orders, has already been transferred.

Patkar, however, said she will break her fast only after she gets a cabinet note on the demands being accepted.

Bureau Report