Kerala   

Nod for initial works of new dam

V.S. Achuthanandan says project proposals for dam under preparation.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The State Cabinet on Tuesday decided to begin preliminary works for a new dam across the Mullaperiyar.

Chief Minister V. S. Achuthanandan told mediapersons after the Cabinet meeting that the dam was proposed to be constructed at the location (downstream of the existing dam) recommended by Central Water Commission in 1979. Detailed project proposals for the dam were under preparation. (Tamil Nadu, which wants the water level of the existing dam to be raised, is not supportive of the proposal for the new dam.)

The Chief Minister announced that Cabinet had decided to increase the Onam advance for Government employees from Rs.500 to Rs.1,000. The eligibility limit for bonus would go up from Rs.5,500 to Rs.6,000 a month. The festival allowance would remain at Rs.1,000.

A special session of the Assembly would be convened from September 4 to 20 for undertaking legislatives business. Around 15 ordinances would come up for replacement during the session. “The situation now is such that the administration could be described as an Ordinance Raj.”

The Cabinet, he said, had approved the articles of association and memorandum of association of the new company to be formed for the implementation of the Smart City Project in Kochi. The Dubai Internet City authorities would shortly be communicating the date for laying the foundation stone for the project.

Mr. Achuthanandan announced that a relief cell would be set up for the victims of endosulfan in Kasaragod district. Pupils up to the upper-primary school level in the State would get 5 kg of rice each during Onam as in the previous years.

The Cabinet had also decided that a weightage should be given to NCC A, B and C certificate holders in the recruitments of uniformed staff for the Police, Jail, Excise, Fire Force and Forest Departments.

The acquisition of land for the Kannur airport would be completed in six months, he said.

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Nod for initial works of new dam

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