Ruckus over Mullaperiyar dam in LS, House adjourned abruptly

New Delhi, Mar 1: A heated argument in the Lok Sabha between members from Kerala and Tamil Nadu over the sharing of the waters of Mullaperiyar river today led to the abrupt adjournment of the House during zero hour.

The adjournment till 1400 hrs came at 1320 hrs when the House was having an extended zero hour stretching into the normal 1300 hrs- 1400 hrs lunch break.

The issue was raised by Mr Francis K George (KC), stating that a grave and dangerous situation was developing in the heart of Kerala due the dispute between the two states over the Mullaperiyar dam.

Mr M P Veerendrakumar (JD-S), Mr P C Thomas (IFDP) and Mr N N Krishnadas (CPI-M) were allowed to associated themselves on the issue by Deputy Speaker Charnjit Singh Atwal.

As soon as Mr George started making his point, MPs from Tamil Nadu were on their feet countering the Kerala MP and urging the chair not to allow the issue as it was subjudice.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi also appealed to the members not to create a ''division'' in the House and hurt the sentiments of people.

The Minister said he had dealt with the issue when he was holding the Water Resources portfolio and the dispute was being looked into by experts who would take care of the interests of both the states.

As Members from the two states persisted with their heated argument in an unruly manner, the Deputy Speaker adjourned the House.

Tamil Nadu wants Kerala to raise the height of the dam from the present 136 feet to 152 feet, but Kerala is against it, stating that it would damage the century-old dam and submerge four neighbouring districts. Tamil Nadu contends that raising the dam would result in higher storage which could be released for it as and when required.

UNI