Centre urged to fully implement Cauvery panel interim award

Chennai, May 24 (UNI) The DMK Government headed by M Karunanidhi today urged the Centre to fully implement the interim award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal.

Delivering his customary address to the newly constituted 13th Assembly, Governor S S Barnala said after a long wait of 38 years, the final award of the Tribunal was expected this year, with the expectation it would be just and the day for its implementation would dawn very soon.

''In the meantime, this government urges the Union Government to fully implement the interim award of the Tribunal,'' he added.

Mr Barnala said the DMK Government would take necessary measures to implement the orders of the Supreme Court permitting the increase in the height of Mulla Periyar Dam.

The government would also take steps to prevent construction of a dam across the Palar River in Andhra Pradesh as it would have adverse impact on the farmers in the northern districts of the state.

It will also urge the Centre to implement the river linking project as it was the only permanent solution for water deficit states like Tamil Nadu.

The government would also impress upon the World Bank to accord early approval and provide necessary financial asssistance for implementation of the Tamil Nadu Irrigated Agriculture Modernisation and Water Resource Management (IAMWARM) project.

This would be a follow on project to the World Bank assisted Water Resources Consolidation Project launched during the 1996-2001 DMK regime.

UNI AKN-GV VA RAI1318