Chief Minister Oommen Chandy’s unilateral announcement on joint control of the proposed new dam at Mullaperiyar has led to fresh differences with the Opposition LDF and even his own party colleague V.M. Sudheeran slamming the move.
Mr. Chandy on Wednesday said that the state was ready for joint control with Tamil Nadu and Centre if a new dam was constructed to replace the 116-year-old Mullaperiyar dam.
The first salvo was fired by senior Congress leader Sudheeran who questioned the chief minister’s announcement saying that a decision on such an important matter should have been taken only after holding detailed discussions with all political parties.
“I don’t know in what context did the Chief Minister say that Tamil Nadu will also have control over the new dam,’’ he added.
Former Water Resources Minister Mr. N. K . Premachandran expressed surprise over Mr Chandy’s statement. “We are completely in the dark.
The Chief Minister or the government has not conveyed anything to us so far,’’ he added. He said the state had consistently argued that Kerala should be vested with absolute control and operation of the proposed dam. “We are not averse to a joint regulatory board for the supply of water.
But we will oppose any proposal for joint control of the dam,’’ he added.
“We were asked by the Empowered Committee to reply by Friday whether we are ready for joint control.
We have said ‘yes’ to an agreement with Tamil Nadu on the lines of Siruvani and Parambikulam dam,’’ said additional Chief Secretary K Jayakumar. He said the statement would be submitted before the Empowered Committee on Friday.
