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No breakthrough in Mullaperiyar talks

— Photo: S. Subramanium

WARM GREETINGS: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi with Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan during a meeting in New Delhi on Wednesday.

New Delhi: There is no breakthrough in the talks between the Chief Ministers of Kerala and Tamil Nadu over the Mullaperiyar dam dispute.

At the end of the 90-minute discussion on Wednesday, Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan told reporters, “There is no understanding between us. There will be another discussion.”

The talks between the Chief Ministers were held in response to the suggestion made by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday that the issue be amicably resolved. Tamil Nadu Public Works Minister Durai Murugan said, “There was no decision in the meeting. The Kerala side stuck to its stand that there is a lot of seepage in the dam and Tamil Nadu is not allowing them to inspect the dam. They [Kerala] expressed the apprehension about the seepage and were not willing to accept Tamil Nadu’s contention that the level of seepage was within normal limits.”

He said the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi explained to them that the seepage in the dam was within the permissible levels and there was no cause for any alarm as expressed by Kerala.

Mr.Durai Murugan said, “Our Chief Minister then suggested that the Central Water Commission be asked to inspect the dam to assess the extent of seepage.” He said Union Water Resources Minister Saifuddin Soz put this across to Mr. Achuthanandan and sought the stand of Kerala. Mr. Achuthanandan said that he would discuss this with his officials and give his response.

Asked whether Kerala insisted on constructing a new dam, Mr. Durai Murugan said, “Though they suggested a new dam be constructed, there were no elaborate discussions on this.” When Mr. Soz wanted to know from Mr. Karunanidhi whether he would agree to another round of talks, “our Chief Minister said we are always willing to maintain good neighbourly relations and are ready for talks.”

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