The Kerala State Assembly on Monday June 09,2014 urged President Pranab Mukherjee to make a reference tot the Supreme Court of India on the Mullaperiyar Dam Issue since the dam posed danger to the life and properties of nearly 40 lakh people living downstream of the dam.
The House called for the reference under Article 143 of the
Constitution, citing catastrophic effect of a dam failure in a
substantive motion unanimously adopted at the end of a discussion on the
issue, initiated by Leader of the Opposition V.S. Achuthanandan.
The motion moved by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said the concerns of the people of Kerala about the safety of the 119-year-old dam remained.
The solution to the
problem was construction of a new dam to ensure safety of the people and
supply water to Tamil Nadu. In 1979, Kerala and Tamil Nadu had jointly
identified a site for the new dam.
The Central government should mediate
for an understanding between the two States on construction of the dam
It said the raising of the reservoir level would result in the
destruction of forests, wildlife, and rare flora in the adjoining areas
of the reservoir.
The Centre should ensure that the laws for protection
of forests, wildlife, and environment were strictly followed.
The Chief Minister told the House that the Supreme Court had not taken
any of the points raised and concerns expressed by Kerala seriously.
It
was notable that Tamil Nadu could draw more water after the reservoir
level was lowered in 1979. Kerala has legal ground to seek a review of
the court’s verdict.
Minister for Water Resources P.J. Joseph said there could be no
compromise on people’s safety, and the new dam was the ultimate
solution.
The Minister said the State government and Members of Parliament from
the State should press the Centre to bring a law on dam safety.
Moreover, the issue needed to be raised at international human rights
fora and elsewhere and public opinion mobilised against the raising of
the water level.
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