Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa today asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to advise Kerala not to build a new dam across Mullaperiyar and sought a financial package for the state.
In her 40-minute meeting with Singh at Raj Bhavan soon after his arrival on a two-visit to the state, Jayalalithaa submitted a memorandum making a host of demands but skipped any reference to the Koodankulam nuclear power project standoff. Amid the raging row over Mullaperiyar dam, she demanded deployment of the Central Industrial Security Force to safeguard the reservoir and withdrawal of the recent order of the National Disaster Management Authority constituting a team of experts for formulating a Contingency Response Plan for it.
In the 18-page memorandum, she also sought exemption of Tamil Nadu from the proposed National Food Security Bill and protection of the "traditional fishing rights" of Indian fishermen in the Palk Bay and their safety and security in the backdrop of attacks on them allegedly by Sri Lankan Navy. Earlier, Jayalalithaa presented a shawl and a bouquet to Singh when he landed at the airport here by a special aircraft. This is Singh`s first visit to the state since she returned to power six months ago. PTI