Thiruvananthapuram: The CPI(M) in Kerala on Tuesday
asked the Congress-led UDF government to convene a special
session of the state Assembly to discuss the Mullaperiyar
dispute and insisted that construction of a new dam is the
only permanent solution to the issue.
The government should take immediate steps to get necessary
permission from the Centre for construction of the new dam at
Mullaperiyar, the party said, adding the issue should be
discussed in detail as the existence of the 116-year old dam
has become a "threat" to more than 30 lakh people.
A solution to the dispute should be evolved with the
objective of providing water to Tamil Nadu and safety to the
people of Kerala, CPI(M) secretariat said in a statement.
No one in Kerala has any objection in supplying water to
Tamil Nadu by ensuring the safety of people of the state, the
party said.
Immediate steps should be taken to restrict the water level
in the reservoir to 120 feet "considering the anxiety of the
people" as the water level in the dam was rising due to heavy
rains in the region, it said.
Charging Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, "who was supposed
to intervene urgently on the matter" with adopting a "silent
approach," the party said the Congress-led UDF government
should put political pressure on him to intervene.
Kerala has been pressing for immediate central intervention
to persuade Tamil Nadu to agree to the proposal of a new dam
at Mullaperiyar holding that the present structure posed a
threat to nearly three million people.
However, holding a contradictory view, Tamil Nadu has
opposed construction of a new dam, asserting that the present
reservoir "is as safe and good as new" and accused Kerala of
whipping up fear psychosis.
PTI
