MDMK slams Centre, TN Govt on Palar 'check dam' issue

Vellore, Feb 7 (UNI) Volunteers of the Marumalarchi DMK (MDMK) today staged a demonstration here condemning the ''lethargic attitude'' of the Centre and Tamil Nadu Government on the reported move of the Andhra Pradesh Government to construct a check dam across river Palar, at Kuppam village.

Speaking on the occasion, party General Secretary Mr Vaiko strongly condemned the state government's ''carelessness'' on this issue, which would ultimately affect the livelihood of many especially the farmers of the northern Districts like Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur.

He alleged that both the state and the Central governments had ''betrayed'' the people of the state and added that both should own responsibility, if the Andhra Pradesh Government constructed a check dam.

Despite being aware of the decision of that government, the Karunanidhi Government was attempting to cheat the people, he alleged.

The MDMK was all along pressing for the nationalisation of rivers as it would be the only way to find a permanent solution to solve the inter-state water disputes, he stressed.

He urged the Centre to take suitable measures immediately for the nationalisation of rivers.

UNI