Tamil Nadu on Thursday passed a resolution seeking security for the Mullaperiyar Dam, even as Kerala made a “goodwill” gesture while sticking to its demand for a new dam.
The Tamil Nadu assembly unanimously passed the resolution, moved by chief minister J Jayalalithaa, requesting PM to station Central Industrial Security Force personnel at the dam in Idukki district of Kerala.
Jayalalithaa rejected Kerala’s contention that the 116-year-old dam posed a safety threat in the wake of recurring tremors in the region. The dam is under Tamil Nadu’s control for 999 years under an agreement between the British and the erstwhile Travancore royal family.
In Kerala, parties suspended an agitation demanding decommissioning of the dam. The move came a day after the PM’s appeal for a conducive atmosphere to resolve the logjam.
Kerala CM Oommen Chandy requested Jayalalithaa to accept this goodwill and come forward for talks. Tamil Nadu has boycotted talks called by the Union water ministry on Friday. Simultaneously, the state filed an affidavit in Kerala HC, saying it was ready to build new dam.
SC turns down Kerala plea
The Supreme Court on Thursday said the Prime Minister was the most suitable authority to resolve the Mullaperiyar Dam row, but turned down Kerala’s plea for the PM’s intervention after Tamil Nadu objected to it.
Senior counsel Raju Ramachandran, appearing for Tamil Nadu, opposed Kerala’s appeal on the ground that a report on the issue from an apex court-appointed empowered committee was awaited.
The Supreme Court on Thursday said the Prime Minister was the most suitable authority to resolve the Mullaperiyar Dam row, but turned down Kerala’s plea for the PM’s intervention after Tamil Nadu objected to it.
Senior counsel Raju Ramachandran, appearing for Tamil Nadu, opposed Kerala’s appeal on the ground that a report on the issue from an apex court-appointed empowered committee was awaited.