Thiruvananthapuram: CPI(M) in Kerala on Friday sought Prime Minister Manmohan Singh`s intervention for resolving the row between Kerala and Tamil Nadu over the Mullaperiyar dam in view of the precarious condition of the 116-year-old structure and fears caused by recurrence of tremors in the area.
"The Prime Minister`s initiative is essential for an
out-of-court settlement of the dispute between Kerala and
Tamil Nadu. So also, the empowered committee on Mullaperiyar
formed by the Supreme Court should also intervene urgently in
view of recent developments", CPI-M state secretary Pinarayi
Vijayan said in a statement here.
"The Mullaperiyar issue should at no cost be allowed to
become a source of conflict between the neighbours. Political
parties on both sides should remain alert that it would not
spoil the friendship of people of the two states," he said.
Kerala`s demand for a new dam was justifiable. Though Chief
Minister Oommen Chandy had recently taken up the matter with
Union Water Resources Minister PK Bansal the latter had given
no indication of the Central initiative to settle the issue,
Vijayan said.
An all-party meet held in Kerala recently wanted the
storage level in the reservoir to be brought down to 120 feet
urgently. Tamil Nadu Government`s co-operation would be crucial
in carrying out this decision, the CPI(M) leader said.
In view of the current scenario, Tamil Nadu Government
should approach the issue seriously and the Centre should take
the initiative for evolving a consensus, he added.
PTI
