Kerala remains stiff necked over Mullaperiyar issue

Chennai, Jan 27: Talking about the Mullperiyar issue, Kerala remained defiant on its stand over the dam row saying that it was aware of the importance of giving water to the five districts of Tamil Nadu, but was concerned about the safety of its people.

"We know very well the importance of water from Mullaperiyar to Tamil Nadu. The five districts of Tamil Nadu are completely depending on water from Mullaperiyar. We are always for distribution of water without any objection," said Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.

Chandy also said that the Kerala government "is very much anxious" about the safety of the people in the state.

Chandy, who visited Chennai to pay homage to Late MOH Farook, Kerala Governor, who passed away on Jan 26, said that the two states could resolve the issue in a peaceful manner.

He further said that Kerala wanted to maintain a cordial relation with neighbour Tamil Nadu.

The Mullaperiyar issue has been a bone of contention between Tamil Nadu and Kerala. While Kerala fears that the area where the dam is built is prone to earthquake and favours the construction of a new dam, Tamil Nadu has been sticking to its stand that the water level of the reservoir be raised and the dam is absolutely safe.

OneIndia News