Coimbatore: MDMK on Thursday flayed the Centre for
adopting a `biased` approach towards Tamil Nadu with regard to
water issues, particularly Mullaiperiyar dam over which the
state is locked in a dispute with neighbouring Kerala.
"UPA government is remaining a `silent spectator` when
Kerala is taking steps to decommission the dam," party Chief
Vaiko said.
He said Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh had allowed
Kerala to undertake a survey for a new dam in place of the
existing over a century-old reservoir, against the interests
of Tamil Nadu.
He said the government did not condemn Kerala when it
amended the Kerala Irrigation and Water Conservation Act,
apparently aimed at circumventing the Supreme Court order
allowing Tamil Nadu to raise the water level in the dam from
136 ft to 142 feet.
He was talking to reporters here on the eve of the
party`s picketing on roads in Tamil Nadu leading to Kerala, to
protest against the Centre and Kerala government, for
`depriving` Tamil Nadu of its rightful share of water from
Mullaperiyar dam.
Vaiko said the protest was not against ruling DMK in
Tamil Nadu, but to condemn the attitude of the Centre and
Kerala government.
The Supreme Court had recently set up a five-member
committee to look into all aspects of the dispute between the
two states. The dam is located in Idduki district of Kerala
but controlled by Tamil Nadu.
Kerala, which wants to build a new dam , has been
opposing Tamil Nadu`s plea for increasing the water level on
the ground that the present reservoir was not safe and any
potential disaster would lead to inundation of downstream
districts.
Tamil Nadu is against constructing of a new dam.
PTI
