Raja urges Centre to intervene in Hogenakkal issue

Chennai, Apr 4 (UNI) CPI National Secretary D Raja today said the Centre should not remain a silent spectator to the Hogenakkal issue and urged its immediate intervention to solve the issue.

Talking to newspersons here, he said ''before the issue blows out of proposition, causing serious damage to the national unity, the Centre should intervene in the issue''.

''The UPA government has promised to provide drinking water to all the citizens in their Common Minimum Programme, but over 30 lakh people in Dharmapurai and Krishnagiri districts are deprived of drinking water for years,'' he added.

Mr Raja pointed out that both the districts receive very low rainfall and studies had proved that over 20 per cent of ground water in the district contained flouride.

Charging the BJP with provoking regional sentiments on Hogenakkal issue for political mileage, Mr Raja said '' the Centre should call for a national integerated council meeting to foster unity among the people.'' Mr Raja said the CPI would organise a national-level protest on April 18, condeming inflation and price rise of essential commodities.

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