PMK urges TN govt to release water for Karaikal

Puducherry, Nov 17 (UNI) PMK parliamentary party leader M Ramdass today urged the Tamil Nadu Government to take immediate steps to release adequate water for Karaikal region.

In a letter to Tamil Nadu Public Works Minister Duraimurugan, Prof Ramadass said 10,999 hectares of cultivable land in Karaikal depended on the seven distributaries of Cauvery.

Water regulation of this region depends on the release of water from Mettur Dam in Tamil Nadu which in turn depends on the release from Krishnaraja Sagar and Kabini in Karnataka.

The total realisation of 3.21 TMC made during the month of October 2008 was restricted to one TMC as the stipulated quantity for the month, he said.

Eventhough, the requirement for the month of November was only 0.500 TMC, normally it was anticipated that North East Monsoon would be in full swing during the month and hence, the requirement was restricted. However, as there was no rain in the region during this month against the normal rainfall of 469 MM, the situation had become critical, he said.

Stating that paucity of water might impede not only agricultural growth, but also the economic growth of the backward region, he said Tamil Nadu should take special interest to ensure continuous supply of water to the seven rivers of Karaikal till the rain starts.

UNI PAB AKM 1420