PMK seeks special assly session on Mullaperiyar dam issue

PMK today sought a special assembly session to discuss and pass a resolution on the controversial Mullaperiyar dam issue, insisting that the Centre implement the Supreme Court order of 2006 to raise the water storage level.

PMK on Tuesday sought a special assembly session to discuss and pass a resolution on the controversial Mullaperiyar dam issue, insisting that the Centre implement the Supreme Court order of 2006 to raise the water storage level.

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The party's founder leader Dr S Ramadoss alleged that the Centre was remaining a silent spectator all along as some forces in Delhi are taking sides with Kerala.

"Though six districts in Tamil Nadu will be badly affected if the present dam is dismantled and a new one constructed in its place, Kerala has created an illusion to make it appear they will be the ones who are affected," he said in a statement.

He also alleged that successive DMK and AIADMK governments had been "lethargic" in implementing the Supreme Court's February 2006 order to raise the water level from 136 feet to 142 feet Mullaiperiyar dam.

Observing that the Tamil Nadu government has not yet criticised Kerala's attitude over the issue, he said "the state will tend to lose if we remain silent any longer."

Kerala has been demanding that the Centre intervene immediately to persuade Tamil Nadu to agree to its proposal of a new dam, holding that the present structure poses a threat to nearly three million people, mainly in Idukki, Kottayam and Ernakulam districts.

However, Tamil Nadu is opposed to it, asserting that the reservoir "is as safe and good as new" and has accused Kerala of whipping up a fear psychosis.