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Kerala to explore legal options on Mullaperiyar

Staff Reporter

KANNUR: Kerala Water Resources Minister N. K. Premachandran said that the State Government would explore all legal options in the wake of the Supreme Court dismissing a petition seeking review of the apex court's earlier order allowing the Tamil Nadu Government to raise the water level in the Mullaperiyar dam from 136 ft to 142 ft.

Verdict `unfortunate'

Terming the Supreme Court verdict as `unfortunate,' Mr. Premachandran said the Government would involve Constitution experts to challenge the Tamil Nadu Government's original suit filed in the Supreme Court questioning the Kerala Irrigation and Water Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2006, enacted to tide over the Supreme Court's permission granted to the Tamil Nadu Government. The Minister told mediapersons here on Friday that the Government would explore all legal options in this case after holding discussions with the Advocate-General and the Government's counsel in the Supreme Court.

"The Supreme Court verdict dismissing the Government's review petition in the chambers was unfortunate as it was against the interests of the State," Mr. Premachandran said adding that it did not address the State's concerns about the safety and security of the dam.

The Minister said the Kerala Irrigation and Water Conservation (Amendment) Act, which was enacted by the 11th Assembly following the judgment of the apex court on February 27, was still valid as water was a State subject.

Under this Act, the Dam Safety Authority's prior permission was required for raising and lowering the water level in the dam, he said. "The State has the legislative competence to enact law on water."

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