Implement Dam Security Amendment Act: Thiruvanchoor

Pathanamthitta, July 28 (UNI) Former Kerala Water Resources Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan today urged the state government to take immediate steps to implement in letter and spirit the Dam Security Authority amendment law enacted in 2004 in the context of the Supreme Court's dismissal of the Kerala government's petition seeking a review of its verdict allowing the raising of the water level in the Mullaperiyar dam from 136 ft to 142 ft.

Participating in a Meet-the Press programme of the Press Club, he also called for legal action to counter the case filed by the Tamil Nadu government questioning the Dam Security Authority Amenment Act.

Promising all support from the Oppostion in this regard, Mr Radhakrishnan wanted a new law to save Kerala from the imminent raising of the height of Mullaperiyar dam on the strength of the apex court order.

An emergency session of the state assembly should also be called to deliberate on the dam issue. The life expectancy of 22 old dams should be scientifically studied by the Dam Safety Authority. The claim of Tamil Nadu on Mullaperiyar dam was farfetched and legally untenable, he said.

Since all the dams included in the "New Schedule" were built in Kerala rivers, they never came within the purview of the "interstate river water disputes award". Hence, no other state had the locus standi to question the law relating to Kerala rivers and the safety concerns of dams built in them, he added.

Replying to a question, Mr Radhakrishnan said the LDF government should not have issued a "war declaration" againt the minority communities with regard to the Self-financing Colleges Act as it had created schisms in various communities.

He also called for an all-party conference to sort out the issue.

UNI XR PMM DK2010