Mullaperiyar: Tamil Nadu urged to adopt humanitarian stance

Water Resources Minister P.J. Joseph has urged the Tamil Nadu government to adopt a humanitarian stance on the Mullaperiyar issue.

The 115-year-old dam is posing a major threat to the life of 30 lakh people in the State and hence construction of a new dam is imperative.

Replying to questions in the Assembly on Wednesday, Mr. Joseph said he would leave for Delhi on July 5 when the case on the dam would be taken for hearing in the Supreme Court.

The feasibility report on constructing the new dam was ready. The government was ready to give water to Tamil Nadu and wanted to resolve the issue through discussions.

Tamil Nadu Governor Surjeet Singh Barnala had also favoured bipartite talks in the Assembly.

Mr.Joseph said the government too supported Mr.Barnala's stance. As many as 16 rounds of talks had been held so far on the Parambikulam Aliyar Pact which was due for review in 1999. Ministerial-level talks would be expedited for reviewing the agreement, he said.