CHIDAMBARAM: The former Kerala Minister, P.J. Joseph, caused a stir at a meeting of scientists here when he raised the dispute between Tamil Nadu and Kerala over the Mullaiperiyar dam and called for a scientific solution to the problem.

Attending a symposium on "conflict management in relation to natural resources" at the 94th session of the Indian Science Congress as part of the audience, he sprang to his feet to make his point when the moderator called for a question-answer session.

Emphasising that the dam was a 110-year-old earthen structure and that the Central Water Commission had recommended in 1979 that another dam be constructed in its place,

Mr. Joseph, who was Minister for Public Works Department in Kerala till recently, said scientists should examine the safety aspects of the dam and come out with an independent assessment. "Scientists must intervene in the issue. There are certain ground realities [that need to be looked into]. They should examine all the aspects. There is a need for an independent assessment and the scientific community must be bold enough to speak out. If the scientists recommend that it [the dam] was strong enough, it can remain. If they recommend that it is not, then another dam must be constructed."

A leader of the Kerala Congress (Joseph) group, he resigned from the LDF Government following a report on the allegation that he had misbehaved with a woman on a flight.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail