The Hindu : Front Page : Lok Sabha witnesses unruly scenes

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Thursday, Mar 02, 2006

Front Page

Front Page

Lok Sabha witnesses unruly scenes

House adjourned as Tamil Nadu, Kerala MPs clash over Mullaperiyar issue

New Delhi: A heated argument between members from Kerala and Tamil Nadu over the sharing of the Mullaperiyar waters led to an abrupt adjournment of the Lok Sabha during zero hour on Wednesday.

The adjournment till 2 p.m. came at 1.20 p.m. when the House was having an extended zero hour, stretching into the normal 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. lunch break.

The issue was raised by Francis K. George (Kerala Congress-J) on grounds that a grave and dangerous situation was developing in the heart of Kerala owing to the dispute between the two States over the Mullaperiyar dam.

M.P. Veerendrakumar (Janata Dal-Secular), P.C. Thomas (KC-J) and N.N. Krishnadas (CPI-M) were allowed to associate with the issue by Deputy Speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal. As soon as Mr. George started making his point, MPs from Tamil Nadu were on their feet countering the Kerala MP and urging the chair not to allow the issue as it was sub-judice.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi appealed to the members not to create a `division' in the House and hurt the sentiments of people. The Minister said he had dealt with the issue when he was holding the Water Resources portfolio and the dispute was being looked into by experts who would take care of the interests of both the States.

As members from the two States persisted with their heated argument in an unruly manner, the Deputy Speaker adjourned the House.

Tamil Nadu wanted Kerala to raise the height of the dam from the present 136 feet to 152 feet, but Kerala is against it, arguing that it would damage the century-old dam and submerge four neighbouring districts. Tamil Nadu contends that raising the dam would result in higher storage, which could be released for it as and when required.

A three-judge Bench of the Supreme Court had on Monday directed the Kerala Government to raise the water level in the Mullaperiyar dam from 136 feet to 142 feet by permitting its further strengthening as suggested by the Central Water Commission (CWC). It passed the order on petitions filed by Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy and the Tamil Nadu Government. — UNI

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