MDMK on Thursday flayed the Centre for adopting a ‘biased’ approach towards Tamil Nadu with regard to water issues, particularly Mullaiperiyar dam over which the State is locked in a dispute with neighbouring Kerala.
“UPA government is remaining a silent spectator’ when Kerala is taking steps to decommission the Dam,” party Chief Vaiko said.
He said Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh had allowed Kerala to undertake a survey for a new dam in place of the existing over a century-old reservoir, against the interests of Tamil Nadu.
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He said the government did not condemn Kerala when it amended the Kerala Irrigation and Water Conservation Act, apparently aimed at circumventing the Supreme Court order allowing Tamil Nadu to raise the water level in the dam from 136 ft to 142 feet.
He was talking to reporters here on the eve of the party’s picketing on roads in Tamil Nadu leading to Kerala, to protest against the Centre and Kerala government, for ‘depriving’ Tamil Nadu of its rightful share of water from Mullaperiyar dam.
Mr. Vaiko said the protest was not against ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu, but to condemn the attitude of the Centre and Kerala Government.
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The Supreme Court had recently set up a five-member committee to look into all aspects of the dispute between the two States. The dam is located in Idduki district of Kerala but controlled by Tamil Nadu.
Kerala, which wants to build a new dam, has been opposing Tamil Nadu’s plea for increasing the water level on the ground that the present reservoir was not safe and any potential disaster would lead to inundation of downstream districts.
Tamil Nadu is against constructing of a new dam.