‘Ask it not to venture upon the construction of a new dam'
Shortly after receiving Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the Chennai airport on Sunday evening, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa went to the Raj Bhavan and submitted a memorandum to him on six issues, including the Mullaperiyar dam, the National Food Security Bill, protection of the traditional fishing rights of Indian fishermen in the Palk Bay and a special package for Tamil Nadu to overcome the present financial crisis.
The Chief Minister, along with Governor K. Rosaiah, walked up to the special aircraft to receive the Prime Minister, after he touched down around 6.40 p.m. She was accompanied by her Cabinet colleagues.
Union Minister M.K. Alagiri and Minister of State for Finance S.S. Palanimanickam, representing the DMK, a constituent of the Congress-led UPA, also welcomed the Prime Minister. Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president B.S. Gnanadesikan, the former presidents, E.V.K.S. Elangovan and K.V. Thangkabalu, and Union Minister Jayanthi Natarajan were also present.
In her memorandum, Ms. Jayalalithaa urged Dr. Singh to advise the Kerala government to honour the Supreme Court's February 27, 2006 order, allowing the raising of the water level initially from 136 to 142 feet. She sought his intervention to make appropriate amendments to the Kerala Irrigation and Water Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2006.
‘Withdraw notification'
Ms. Jayalalithaa said Dr. Singh should advise Kerala not to venture upon the construction of a new dam, since the retrofitted dam was safe and functioning well. Besides asking for the deployment of the Central Industrial Security Force and removal of all encroachments in the leased area, she said the Prime Minister should order the National Disaster Management Authority to withdraw its notification forming a team of experts to prepare a contingency response plan.
She also wanted Tamil Nadu to be exempted from the purview of the proposed Food Security Bill. Ms. Jayalalithaa sought a special assistance package, similar to the one extended to West Bengal.
Dr. Singh will attend the inaugural ceremony of the 125th birth anniversary celebrations of mathematics genius Srinivasa Ramanujan at the University of Madras on Monday. He will also declare 2012 as National Mathematics Year.
Hats off to Jayalalitha!I am highly impressed with her performance - a CM, who always stands firm and rock-solid with clear idea on any issue. This is how a CM should be! She will be able to drive home her point quite easily. Anyone with some minimum commonsense can see the writing on the wall!! Tamilnadu won hands down and handsomely, thanks to their highly efficient Chief Minister!! Look at the pathetic situation in which the hapless people of Kerala is placed. The State voices 140 opinions, to say the least. Where there is only one CM in TN, in Kerala, all assume that position and utter whatever they feel like. Everything is let loose. They are all allowed to go scot-free for whatever nonsense they utter and do against the interest of the State! Oommen Chandy is made a mere dummy -- a picture of total inefficiency, ineffectiveness and mis-management. Purposeless governance!! God alone can save 'God's own country'!! Pray countrymen, pray!!!!
For all those who fear the safety of lives, one question. Would like to know how the water from MP dam could flood the Idukki dam which is 7 times bigger than MP, let alone gate crashing and bringing it down. If thats the case Kerala government should build not just one dam but two. For all those[on either side of the dam] who are already drawn into this issue politically, beware that you are already fooled from the original issue. 92% of kerala's waters are wasted into the sea. Nothing has been done since 15 AUG 1947 not even at the drawing board level to make use of this mother natures gift. Imagine the revenue the Kerala government can generate by commercially managing the water that goes waste into the sea. Two ways to bring an immediate end to water politics and fear psychosis is 1. Form a international committee with expert engineers and take their word religiously. 2. Another not so educated way of doing it is to drain all the water from MP dam & see how big the crack is.
I am not vouching for the TN CM. But the concerns of the Kerala politicians at a time when the state is facing a bypoll raises serious doubts - is this the lone dam in the state which is this old and what is the guarantee that no other dam in the state is as unsafe/old as this. As one of the previous reader mentioned, no 'man-made'project can be 100% safe. That's why we have certain scientific parameters based on which experts determine the safety of any such structure. If this is not acceptable then the world shall not have any bridge/flyover/even a house for that matter. There is no second thought that Kerala has to protect its people, but when some one encroaches a dam's downstream, then they should be relocated to a safer place, which is expected of a responsible Govt. rather than dislodging the dam - a more political stunt. A thorn should be removed rather than amputating the foot.
Tamilnadu's C.M.'s stand on this vexed issue is correct.Kerala has the dubious distinction in defying the Supreme court's earlier verdict of 2006 and also proved it's intentions of not providing water to Tamilnadu as per the court's verdict by enacting a bill in its Assembly.How can she believe such a government now that they will provide water to Tamilnadu after decommissioning the existing dam?How can she be expected to have trust in Kerala which had the guts and arrogance to defy the Supreme court's verdict, will fulfill it's own promises and commitments in building a new dam now?
What is funny is till the time the court appointed committee came for inspection, people were questioning if Tamil Nadu was part of the Indian union and why its acting on it own. Now after the inspection the very same people want to go for international arbitration, because they are not convinced of justice from the Supreme court!! Right from 2006 it's Kerala that has been flouting court directions.
JJ have never ever honoured the verdict of any court in her life time. But she expects the rest of the world to honour court. What a joke
both States should not stoke fire and find a amicable solution
Still do not understand why TN thinks studies conducted by IIT Delhi and IIT Roorkee on Mullaperiyar dam are wrong? IIT Roorkee is a 150 year old institution well known in the field of Civil Engineering. Surprisingly, TN thinks only Dr. Thatte is right!
Kerala Governments real intention is to revise the agreement, so that they will have full rights to maintain and operate the dam as per their will, if this is done then they decide whether to give water or not, at some stage will do what ever they want. this is the covert idea.
It is futile to wake up person who pretends to sleep. This is the position of our Economist PM. Kudos to Madam for trying her best to wake him up
Jayalalithaa's demand for raising the water level in Mullaperiyar from 136 142 feet and her stand against construction of a new dam there and against any involvement of the National Disaster Management Authority in the issue are obviously based on the notion that the 'dam was safe and functioning well'. But science, technology and experience tell that safety and functioning of any 'man-made project' cannot be assured hundred per cent. So, when a project, at any stage from its concept to running, poses threat to human life and property, that too of lakhs of citizens, none can take the risk of it. Otherwise, why should the Tamilnadu Chief Minister oppose Kudankulam atomic power project whose safety has been guaranteed by many technical experts including former President A.P.J.Abdul Kalam? The fact is that both the projects are, one way or other, too dangerous to be continued with. But Jayalalithaa's double-face is evident. Again, her demand for deployment of Central Industrial Security Force in the area is based on 'the lease'. She ignores that Tamilnadu has no higher rights, like ownership rights, over the land than given by the 112 year old agreement between the Maharaja of Travancore and the British, validated for 999 years. Her dependence on this illegal and unjustified deed is unfortunate and does not match the democratic and federal system which we follow. Her interests are purely narrow and personal/political in nature. They are also devoid of human values. It is only good manners for one to express a word or do an act of gratitude when receiving some services or goods, like a tumbler of water to drink. It is not manners to run away with the tumbler. That indicates sufficient reason to stop offering more tumblers of water.
If Kerala is denied her right to protect her people, it should approach the UN. Tamils behave and force all Non-Tamil things as blasphemous. Kerala state, irrespective of politics , assure water for TN, but it is her fundamental right ensure safety for its people not the assurance of Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu can assure the safety of people living within its boundaries and Kerala has the right for that within its boundaries. If India is dilly dallying on its duty to provide safety and water to its people, UN should intervene.
Safety issues must be outside politics. After the event of a catastrophe one can point the finger at each other but they may have sacrificed the lives of many at this point. Safety issue can't be a partisan issue and all must accept that in all these politics the issue of safety is paramount. If in doubt, check it and check it again. The final verdict of safety must be based on science and engineering and not on opinion and political positions! If there is an issue of trust in any indigenous testing, get international reputable companies to test the stability of the dam and report without any fear or favoritism. The warring parties must accept such a verdict.
This meeting is another proof that Ms. Jayalalithaa is not a mere political opponent to the PM but has shown statesmanlike qualities that is the need of the hour.Now the ball is in PM's court.So, the people from TN in the border districts agitating on the Mullaperiyar Dam issue, should allow the matter to rest,so that a cordial atmosphere for settlement of this issue is created. The PM ,it is hoped will bridge the gap between TN and Kerala on this emotive issue by finding a solution that appears just and reasonable to both sides and will not allow the matter to drift further pandering to petty political compulsions.
Though the CM has done nothing wrong in asking the centre to advice Kerala,at the same time it gives an impression as though she is trying to shed her responsibility on this issue, by passinng on the buck to the centre. and the only place both the states seem to talk is on the streets,blaming one another. She and the CM of kerala has to realize it is their responsibility to sit and solve the issue among themselves, of course the centre can intervene and help in that process, but you cannot shy away from your responsibilities, right now she is not doing justice for Tamilnadu by avoiding a discussion fearing political backfire.She and Kerala should realize unless they both sit and sort out, centre can hardly help. It is time that she set aside her confronting attitude towards the centre, that surely would help Tamilnadu for the other demands she made.
Ketala is not permitted to do constructions inside its sovereign territory? Kerala is not permitted to form emergency action council for the safety of its citizens? On the other hand, JJ wants TN exempted from the food security bill and the brand new nuclear power plant! Hipocracy and opportunism beyond imagination!
TN wants mullaperiyar dam to be retained as it is. Kerala wants to construct a new dam to avert the possible calamity of 35 lakhs of people being washed away. Both these demands can be met by constructing a new dam while retaining the old one as it is as was done in the case of croton dam in USA.
Strange are the demands of Jayalalitha on Mullaperiyar! Not only should Kerala stop any thoughts of a new dam in place of the old junk dam, but should not even prepare a contingency response plan.
The kind of individual or partywise appreciation/representation on a state-related problem like Mullaiperiyar would harm the very purpose of it. Ms.Jayalalitha and Mr.Karunanidhi should present a joint plea to PM for the resolution. After all the welfare of the people is paramount in the minds of both.Hope they would show the path of unanimity regarding matters of state while dealing with other states.To a large extent this would pave the way for reducing acrimony between cadres.
The Picture shows CM Jayalalitha had given most respectful greet to Mr.Manmohan Singh for his Chennai Visit ,not only this occasion I had seen many such cases earlier whenever she meets PM. She gives most respect who really work for national Interest.
Its great to know that Sri Ramanujam has been celebrated throughout and 2012 made as the National Mathematics year. With so much negativity in the air regarding 2012 doom, this comes as a whiff of fresh air and a tribute to the 'God' of Mathematics in our times.
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