PMK criticises TN Govt decision on Hogenakkal project

Madurai, Tamilnadu Apr 9 (UNI) The Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), a key constituent of the ruling DMK-led Democratic Progressive Alliance (DPA), today criticised the Tamil Nadu Government's decision to put on hold Hogenekkal Drinking Water Project.

Talking to newspersons here, PMK Founder-President S Ramadoss said there was no need to hold the project, as Karnataka had given its consent to take the project and the Centre had cleared it. There was no necessity to delay the project, as both Tamil Nadu and Karnataka had concluded their talks on the quantum of water to be drawn from river Cauvery, he added.

Dr Ramadoss wanted to know the reasons behind the Tamil Nadu Government awaiting the implementation of the project, when Karnataka had already completed Bangalore City Drinking Water Project in two phases.

The PMK supremo alleged that the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi should not have taken a decision on the project without consulting the opposition leaders in the assembly.

Asked about the reports that the delay in implementation of the project was due to inadequate funds, he alleged that when the Government found money to implement drinking water projects like Ramanathapuram, Coleroon and Krishna, it should not pose a problem for them to complete the Hogenakkal project.

Dr Ramadoss demanded a ''White Paper'' from the Centre on the loan given to agriculture and other sectors in the past six decades.

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