Coimbatore, Jan 28: The Federation of farmers Associations of Tamil Nadu today appealed to the government to implead itself in a case filed by the federation in the Supreme Court, seeking a stay on the construction of a weir across the Bhavani River, by Kerala. The federation had yesterday filed a case in the apex court, pleading for a stay on the work, stating it would not benefit farmers even in Kerala and also affect 30 lakh people of both states, its president, Dr K P Ramalingam, told reporters here.

Claiming that the farmers association in Mannarkkad in Kerala, for whose benefit the dam was supposed to be built, was willing to be a party in the case, he alleged that this was clearly indicative of the fact that the aim of diverting the river's course was only to help two multinational bottling units there. Asked whether the federation proposed to launch any direct action, he said that it wanted the issue to be handled and solved at the government level. Any such action on their part might lead to a confrontation between the two states, as was experienced over the Cauvery issue, he said.

He also expressed concern over the delay by the government in initiating action or dialogue with the Kerala government.

Stating that the federation would also wait for the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's reply in the assembly on the issue, scheduled for Jan 30, he said that if proper action was not taken, they would launch an agitation, including a call for a total bandh in Coimbatore and erode districts. Bureau Report