YSR's assurance to TN on Palar dam

Chennai, Aug 31 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy has assured Tamil Nadu that he would proceed with the Palar project only after ascertaining its views on the matter, Tamil Nadu Public Works Minister Duraimurugan told the Assembly today.

Moving the demand for grants for his department, he said Dr Reddy had also promised his Government would not take any step detrimental to the interests of the people of Tamil Nadu or against the law.

He had said he would furnish the details of the project to Tamil Nadu, the Minister said.

Mr Duraimurugan said the Andhra Pradesh Government's proposal to construct a reservoir across River Palar near Ganeshapuram of Kuppam taluk of Chittoor district and divert water to its territory had caused grave concern in Tamil Nadu.

The Tamil Nadu Government had requested the Centre to intervene in the matter and advice the Andhra Pradesh Government not to proceed with the construction of the check dam, which would affect the flow of the Palar river, he said.

Tamil Nadu had also filed a suit in the Supreme Court on February ten, 2006, to direct Andhra Pradesh not to proceed with the project.

When a delegation comprising Local Administration Minister M K Stalin and Higher Education Minister Thangam Thennarasu called on Dr Reddy at Hyderabad on August five, the apprehension of the people of Tamil Nadu on the proposed project was conveyed to him, he added.

UNI AKN MSJ PM1444