'Mullaperiyar safe' remark irks Kerala again

Kottayam, Jan 17: The remark by Ashwani Kumar, Union Science and Technology Minister on Monday, Jan 16 who said that the Mullaperiyar dam was safe has not gone down too well with Kerala.

The Kerala Congress (Mani) will now support the anti-dam panel on a strike called by them on Wednesday, Jan 18. The same was confirmed by PC George, Government chief whip and senior Kerala Congress (Mani) party member.

"It is not only us, almost all parties have extended their support to the call given by the Action Committee. This committee has been on a sit-in protest near the dam site for the past 1,800 days demanding a new dam," said George.

PJ Joseph, State Water Resources Minister termed Kumar's remark over the issue as "sad'.

"It is sad that such a statement has come from a federal minister. We feel that our own ministers like Defence Minister A.K. Antony should speak up for our cause," said Joseph.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and leader of opposition VS Achuthanandan had earlier met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh over the issue demanding a new dam.

The Mullaperiyar issue has been a bone of contention between Tamil Nadu and Kerala for quite sometime. While Kerala has expressed its concern over the safety of the dam, as it is prone to earthquakes, Tamil Nadu has been adamant that Kerala increase the storage capacity of the dam and the dam is absolutely safe.

OneIndia News