DMK president M. Karunanidhi on Friday sought to know the Tamil Nadu government’s response to Kerala’s stand that inter-linking of two of its rivers with the Vaippar in Tamil Nadu was not viable. The project was proposed by the National Water Development Agency, which said the Pampa and Achenkovil rivers in Kerala could be linked with the Vaippar that runs through Theni and Virudhunagar districts in Tamil Nadu.
In a written statement made recently in the Kerala Assembly, Minister for Water Resources P.J. Joseph said there was no excess water in the Pampa and the Achenlovil for river linking projects. The existing water was enough only for irrigation, as reported by an expert committee.
“What is the response of the Tamil Nadu government to this,” Mr. Karunanidhi questioned in a statement here, taking a dig at Chief Minister Jayalalithaa over the measures initiated by her for river inter-linking.
Mr. Karunanidhi also pointed out that Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had claimed that four dams that were previously listed under Tamil Nadu’s control — Mullaperiyar, Parambikulam, Thoonakadavu and Peruvaripallam — have been brought under Kerala after 2012.
“Ms. Jayalalithaa claims that Tamil Nadu’s rights in the Cauvery and Mullaperiyar issues have been upheld. Has the Cauvery issue been solved? Has the Cauvery Management Board been formed? Have the rights of Tamil Nadu in Mullaperiyar issue been completely upheld?” Mr. Karunanidhi wondered.
