Moving forward on a long-standing dispute between
Kerala and Tamil Nadu, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday June 18,2014 gave its nod to a
proposal of the Union Water Resources Ministry for constituting a
supervisory committee to monitor the safety of the Mullaperiyar dam and
oversee the restoration of the water level up to the full reservoir
level of 142 feet.
3-member committee
The
three-member committee will be headed by a representative from the
Central Water Commission — most likely Chief Engineer (Dam Safety) — and
will have a nominee each from Kerala and Tamil Nadu as members.
The
decision is to give effect to the order of the Supreme Court to raise
the water level from 136 feet to 142 feet. Raising the water level in
the 117-year-old dam, which is located in Kerala and operated and
maintained by Tamil Nadu, has been a contentious issue between the two
States since 1979.
The matter was taken to the Supreme Court and a
five-judge Constitution Bench appointed a three-member panel to monitor
the safety of the dam and supervise the raising of the water level to
142 feet.
The Bench ordered that the supervisory
committee shall inspect the dam periodically, especially before and
during the monsoon, and keep a close watch on its safety.
The
panel will be free to take appropriate steps and issue directions to
the two States as may be required for the safety of the dam.
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