TN working to implement SC orders on Mullaperiyar

Chennai, Aug 31 (UNI) The Tamil Nadu Government is taking all steps to have Supreme Court orders on the Mullaperiyar issue implemented, State Public Works Minister Duraimurugan told the Assembly today.

Moving the demand for grants for his department, he said the Government was committed to protecting and safeguarding the interest of agriculturists on the Periyar-Vaigai rivers.

He said the apex court pronounced orders on February 27, 2006, that the Tamil Nadu Government could store water up to the level of 142 feet and the state could be permitted to carry out further strengthening measures as suggested by the Central Water Commission.

Kerala was restrained from causing any obstruction.

However, the Kerala Government brought in amendments to the Kerala Irrigation and Water Conservation Act, 2003, according to which, among others, the full reservoir level of Mullaperiyar dam had been fixed at 136 feet. This was aimed at thwarting the Supreme Court order, the Minister said.

Mr Duraimurugan said Tamil Nadu had filed a suit in the Supreme Court on March 31, 2006, to declare the Kerala Irrigation and Water Conservation (Amendment) Act of 2006 as unconstitutional in its application to and effect on the Mullaperiyar dam.

An interlocutory application had prayed that an ex parte stay of operation of the Act, as far Mullaperiyar dam was concerned, might be granted and also that an ad interim injunction restraining Kerala from interfering with or obstructing Tamil Nadu from increasing water level to 142 feet and carrying out repairs might also be issued.

UNI AKN AA MSJ RS1406