'No more talks with Kerala on Mullaperiyar issue'

By Staff
|
Google Oneindia News

Chennai, Jan 25: The Tamil Nadu Government had written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that it would not hold further talks with Kerala on the contentious Mullaperiyar dam issue as it was not going to serve any purpose, Public Works Minister Duraimurugan told the Assembly today.

Replying to Congress members C Gnanasekaran and S Peter Alphonse, who raised the issue during zero hour, the Minister said he personally handed over a letter written by Chief Minister M Karunanidhi to the Prime Minister in New Delhi yesterday, explaining Tamil Nadu's stand on the issue.

Thanking the Centre for having taken efforts to resolve the problem, the Chief Minister also expressed regret that an amicable solution could not be reached through talks.

A copy of the letter was also handed over to Union Water Resources Minister Saifuddin Soz, he added.

Mr Duraimurugan said the Supreme Court had clearly stated in its verdict that the water level in the dam could be raised from 136 ft to 142 ft, and Kerala should not prevent Tamil Nadu from carrying out pending works to strengthen the dam.

Based on the Supreme Court's verdict and the Centre's advice, two rounds of talks were held with Kerala. But, instead of discussing ways and means to implement the Court's order, Kerala attempted to put forth arguments which were not accepted even by the Apex court, he added.

According to Mr Duraimurugan, Kerala's demand to construct a new dam was nothing new as it had put forth such a proposal way back in 1979. However, the proposal was dropped after engineers from both the states made a detailed study and ruled out the feasibility of constructing a new dam, he added.

He said the Kerala Government was indulging in a 'disinformation' campaign that the Mullaperiyar dam would collapse if the water level was raised and about 35 lakh people in five districts would be washed out.

The Supreme Court itself had rejected Kerala's argument, pointing out that the Idukki dam would hold the spill over from Mullaperiyar, he added.

Mr Duraimurugan said Tamil Nadu would emerge triumphant on the issue as justice and the Supreme Court's verdict were on its side.

He said the state government will also reiterate its demand that the Centre should provide protection to the dam by para military forces, in the wake of damage caused to its parapet wall.

The damaged portion was located just 20 to 30 feet from the booth of security personnel, who were drawing salary from the Tamil Nadu government, he said.

Stating the incident could not have occurred without their connivance, Mr Duraimurugan asked ''What is the guarantee that Kerala will not try to cause further damage to the dam in future?'' As the Tamil Nadu Government had now taken a resolute stand on the issue, it will urge the Centre to provide protection to the dam.

Earlier, Mr Alphonse asked whether the government had taken any step to counter Kerala's campaign on the dam's safety.

UNI

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