Kerala's concern over Dam not negative towards TN: Minister

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 22 (UNI) The Kerala Government's stand on the Mullaperiyar issue was to ensure the safety of the people in the state and not a negative attitude on the people of Tamil Nadu, Left Democratic Front (LDF) Convener Vaikom Viswom said today.

Talking to newspersons after the LDF meeting here, he said the safety of the people in the state was of paramount importance.

Mr Viswom clarified that the LDF Government's decision to release water from the Neyyar Dam to Tamil Nadu was aimed at creating a conducive atmosphere for talks on the Mullaperiyar issue with the neighbouring state.

Denying the statements of Janata Dal (Secular) leader K Krishnan Kutty that the releasing of water from Neyyar Dam was not discussed in the LDF meeting, he said formal discussion in this regard had been made in the meeting.

Though the Central Electricity Act had insisted bifurcation of the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB), the government wanted to retain it as one Board instead of three companies as it was not favourable to the state.

However, if such a situation arose to split the Board into three, the government would discuss the matter and would take all steps to make it beneficial for the employees, state and the people, he added.

Mr Viswom said the meeting also asked the government to complete all the irrigation projects in a time bound manner.

It also urged the government to provide land to the landless tribals and to make efforts to improve the education of SC/ST students.

He also said the government had no plan to hike the water tax.

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