PM wants meeting of TN, Kerala CMs on Mullaperiyar

New Delhi, Dec 18 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today appealed to Chief Ministers M Karunanidhi of Tamil Nadu and V S Achuthanandan of Kerala to hold talks again to resolve the dispute over Mullaperiyar Dam.

''The Prime Minister felt that the two chief ministers should meet to discuss the issue. I accepted the suggestion,'' Mr Karunanidhi told reporters after meeting Dr Singh.

Mr Karunanidhi said he also briefed the Prime Minister in detail on the talks he had held with Mr Achuthanandan on Supreme Court's direction.

The date for a fresh meeting would be worked out with Kerala, he said while responding to questions.

Mr Karunanidhi is here on a three-day visit to attend the National Development Council meeting tomorrow and the National Security Council meeting on Thursday.

Asked whether the fresh talks would yield any result in view of Kerala deciding to go ahead with the construction of a new dam, he said the Prime Minister was hopeful.

The dispute between the neighbouring states is over increasing the storage level in the 111-year old Mullaperiyar Dam in Iddukki District from the existing 136 feet to 142 feet.

UNI