The Hindu : `Nationalisation of rivers only solution to water disputes'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Mar 28, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Tiruchi

`Nationalisation of rivers only solution to water disputes'

By Our Staff Reporter

TIRUCHI, MARCH 27. The Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary, Vaiko, today underscored the need to nationalise rivers as a lasting solution to solve not only the drinking water problem but also the inter-State row on water sharing.

A long-term plan of action was needed to be drafted on water management which would not only go a long way in addressing the drinking water scarcity but also ensure uninterrupted supply for irrigation, he said at a function organised here to release a book written by him in Tamil titled `Thaagam Theera...Paasanam Peruga (Quenching thirst augmenting irrigation).

The book brought out by the Thanjavur, Thiruvarur and Nagapattinam district MDMK units contains debates which took place in Parliament on a private bill brought by Mr. Vaiko on interlinking of rivers during 1999-2000 and the speeches made by him.

Mr. Vaiko said nationalisation of rivers would help in equitable distribution of water without affecting the interest of any State besides ensuring emotional integration and proper use of water resources. He emphasised the need to bring rivers in the Concurrent List. Mr. Vaiko said the sharp decline in groundwater level, acute drought conditions and rapid decline in forest resources would have worse effect in the longer run. It was time that an appropriate strategy was executed to overcome any crisis in the future.

He said the implementation of the Sethusamudram project would put Tamil Nadu in the global map.

Mr. Vairamuthu said the book had been published at an appropriate time, when debates were on on inter-linking of rivers.

Along with Vaiko's book, another book on the Cauvery dispute written by the presidium chairman, L. Ganesan, was also released. While the book written by Mr. Vaiko was released by the Tamil poet, Vairamuthu, the one written by Mr. Ganesan was released by the former DMK Minister, K.N. Nehru.

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