Thiruvananthapuram, June 19: Kerala government was taking up with Tamil Nadu the reported diversion of water by farmers in the upper strata of Parambikkulam-Aliyar project by "constructing" temporary bunds, chief minister A K Antony today said. With the construction of bunds by Tamil Nadu farmers, Kerala was not getting water for irrigation in eastern Palakkad district and areas like Chittoor were facing shortage of drinking water, he said replying to a submission by K Achuthan (Cong) in the state assembly.

As per the Parambikkulam-Aliyar agreement, the state should have received 350 million cubic feet water in the second week of may, he said.
The matter had been taken up by Kerala officials and steps were being taken at the government-level, the Chief Minister said.

Bureau Report