Centre must take control of Mullaperiyar Dam: BJP

Chennai, Jan 4: The Tamil Nadu unit of the BJP today demanded that the Centre take over the control of the Mullaperiyar Dam, which had remained a bone of contention between Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

Addressing a press conference here, BJP State President L Ganesan said the issue posed a threat not only to national unity and integrity but also to Dravidian ideology.

The damage caused to the parapet of the dam seemed to be a pre-meditated act on the part of the Kerala Government, he alleged and endorsed the Tamil Nadu Government's request for deployment of para-military forces to protect the structure.

However, the government should immediately approach the Supreme Court seeking the implementation of its verdict to raise the water level of the dam from 136 ft to 142 ft, he added.

On the enforcement of Value Added Tax (VAT) system in the state, Mr Ganesan said as the new taxation system was there to stay, all BJP-ruled states had already adopted it.

The Tamil Nadu Government, in consultation with trade organisations, should raise the annual turnover ceiling for VAT exemption from Rs ten lakh to Rs 30 lakh for the benefit of small traders, he stressed.

Mr Ganesan said the split in the Marumalarchi DMK (MDMK) had saddened him.

''A split in any political party is not a happy news. However, I would not like to comment more as it is an internal issue of the MDMK.'' he added.

Expressing concern over reports that LeT operatives, who were arrested in New Delhi recently, had planned to escape to Pakistan via Chennai after planting bombs in the national capital, the BJP leader said it raised a question whether Tamil Nadu had become a haven for terrorists.

Recalling the recent unearthing of illegal arms factory in the city suburbs from where rocket launchers were supplied to naxalites in Andhra Pradesh, he urged the State Government to investigate whether terrorist groups had any local support.

Mr Ganesan condemned the murder of Hindu Munnani's functionary, Kumara Pandian, at Tenkasi in Tirunelveli District and alleged the main conspirator of the crime was yet to be arrested by the police.

UNI

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