Councillors of Madurai Corporation passed two resolutions thanking former Chief Minister and AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa for “protecting the rights of people of Tamil Nadu in Mullaiperiyar dam issue and in securing the release of fishermen from Sri Lanka”.
At the corporation council special meeting convened on Thursday, the councillors, led by Mayor V.V. Rajan Chellappa, recalled the long legal battle she undertook to get the water level raised in Periyar dam to 142 feet.
“After a long gap of 37 years, the water level rose to 142 feet. Because of Ms. Jayalalithaa’s sustained efforts and the Supreme Court judgement, it was made possible, and ultimately 2.16 lakh acres of irrigation lands stand to benefit. Also, Madurai Corporation area will not have drinking water scarcity due to more water availability in the dam,” the Mayor said, moving the resolution.
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Zone chairmen P. Salaimuthu, K. Jeyavel and K. Rajapandian said no political party, except the AIADMK, could claim credit for the success in Mullaperiyar dam and fishermen issues.
Senior councillors M. Chellam, S.T. Jeyabalan and Kannagi Baskaran were among those who spoke in support of the resolutions.
Madurai Central MLA R. Sundararajan complimented the corporation for holding a special council meeting to place on record its thanks to the former Chief Minister who extended financial assistance to the families of five fishermen arrested in Sri Lanka three years ago.
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Corporation Commissioner C. Kathiravan and Deputy Mayor K. Thiraviam were also present.
DMK men absentAll the DMK councillors were absent at the meeting.