Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

State's ‘motto' on Mullaperiyar

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: “Water for Tamil Nadu and security for Kerala” will be the motto of Kerala in the Mullaperiyar issue, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy told the Assembly on Wednesday.

The Chief Minister was replying to the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the Governor for his address in the House.

Mr. Chandy noted that new dam at Mullaperiyar was the demand of all sections of the people in Kerala. The State also wanted good relations with Tamil Nadu and settlement of the issue.

It had brought the amendment to the Kerala Irrigation and Water Supply Act to have legal provisions to ensure dam safety. Without such a law, Kerala's arguments could have been weakened.

He noted that the 115-year-old dam was built with outdated technology. Even if it would operate safely under normal circumstances, its safety could not be guaranteed in case of an unusual event.

“Let us move forward united for the new dam,” he told the Opposition in the House.

Meanwhile, Water Resources Minister P.J. Joseph has urged the Tamil Nadu government to adopt a humanitarian stance on the Mullaperiyar issue.

Replying to questions in the Assembly on Wednesday, Mr. Joseph said he would leave for Delhi on July 5 when the case on the dam would be taken for hearing in the Supreme Court.

The feasibility report on the new dam was ready. The government was ready to give water to Tamil Nadu and wanted to resolve the issue through discussions. Tamil Nadu Governor Surjeet Singh Barnala had also favoured bipartite talks in the Assembly.

Mr.Joseph said the government too supported Mr.Barnala's stance. Sixteen rounds of talks had been held so far on the Parambikulam Aliyar Pact which was due for review in 1999. Ministerial-level talks would be expedited for reviewing the agreement.

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