Kerala convenes all-party meet on Mullaiperiyar issue

Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 2 (UNI) The Kerala government today decided to convene an all-party meet on March six to chalk out a joint stand on the measures to be taken to protect the interests of the state in the wake of an 'unfavourable' judgement by the Supreme Court on the Mullaperiyar issue.

After a meeting with Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly V S Achuthanandan, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said the meeting would be held at Ernakulam.

Referring to the Supreme Court judgement allowing the neighbouring Tamil Nadu to increase the storage level of Mullaiperiyar Dam to 142 ft, the Chief Minister said the state government's stand on the issue was increasing the storage level of the century-old dam beyond the present 136 ft would endanger the lives of people in five districts in the state.

Mr Achuthanandan also stated that the government should consider filing a review petition in the Supreme Court to protect the interests of the state.

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