Ready for talks on Mullaperiyar: CM

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 26 (UNI) Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan today informed the State Assembly that the government had informed Tamil Nadu on its willingness to hold a dialogue on the Mullaperiyar issue.

Though the government was expecting a positive reply from its neighbour, it had not received any reaction yet, he said in a written reply.

Mr Achuthandan clarified the state had taken initiatives for finding an amicable solution through dialogue, well ahead of the Supreme Court order of September 25, 2006.

Besides submitting a memorandum to the Prime Minister expressing the state's willingness for talks in August 2006, a letter to his effect was also sent to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, he pointed out.

On the basis of the Supreme Court order, a legislative sub-committee with Water Resources Minister, Home Minister and Revenue Minister as its members was constituted to discuss the matter with the Tamil Nadu Government, he added.

UNI CGV PB KP1841