Water disputes will be amicably settled: Achuthanandan

Coimbatore, Aug 26 (UNI) Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan today expressed hope that all the water disputes between Tamil Nadu and Kerala would be amicably settled.

On a query about the Mullai Periyar Dam issue, he said the people living in the area were anguished about raising the height and added that the recent mild tremors had precipitated their concern.

He said the engineers in Kerala had opined that raising of height would adversely affect the safety of the dam while their counterparts in Tamil Nadu had favoured it.

Stating that the issue would be discussed at the ministerial level, Mr Achuthanandan said he would meet his Tamil Nadu counterpart M Karunanidhi in this regard to iron out the issues.

Asked about the ayurvedic treatment given to Kerala-based People's Democratic Party leader Abdul Nassar Maudhany, he said Mr Maudhany's father and wife had requested to provide treatment to the accused.

Stating that the former Tamil Nadu government had rejected the request, he said during his meeting with Mr Karunanidhi it was agreed on humanitarian grounds.

Accordingly, Mr Maudhany was provided treatment at the Arya Vaidya Pharmacy for two months amidst threat from the RSS, he said.

When asked about the harassment allegations against Kerala Minister P J Joseph, he said the government had ordered an inquiry on its own and added that Inspector General B Sandhya was entrusted to investigate the allegations and present a report within ten days.

He said the production and sale of the aerated drinks of Pepsi and Coca Coal were banned in the state as they were found unhealthy for human consumption. The CPM would urge the Centre to slap a national ban on the soft drinks, he added.

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