PMK seeks separate Ministry for interlinking of rivers

Tindivanam, Tamil Nadu, May 17 (UNI) Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder-leader S Ramadoss today sought creation of a separate Ministry in Tamil Nadu to make the popular demand of interlinking of rivers a reality.

''A separate Ministry is needed to maintain and take up works in rivers, rivulets, tanks and ponds, which were now entrusted with the PWD department,'' he told newspersons at his Thailapuram residence here.

Recalling that Chief Minister M Karunanidhi took up the issue of interlinking of rivers with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi during celebrations to mark his golden jubilee in the State Legislature, Dr Ramadoss advocated nationalisation of all rivers before that. ''A decision on this should be taken after detailed discussions at Chief Ministers' conference. ''Otherwise, the issue will merely remain on paper,'' he warned.

On the Chennai airport expansion project, he said the work should not be entrusted with the private sector at any cost.

He welcomed the State Government's decision to construct a new Assembly complex at the Omandurar Government Estate.

UNI