Withdraw recommendation on new dam in Kerala: TN

Chennai, Oct 24 (IANS) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K. Palaniswami on Wednesday urged the Prime Minister to direct the Ministry of Environment to withdraw the recommendation to grant terms of reference for environmental impact assessment for a new dam by Kerala at Mullaperiyar.

In a letter to Modi, text of which was released to the media here, Palaniswami said the expert appraisal committee for River Valley and hydro projects functioning under the Ministry of Environment had given its recommendation at its meeting held on Sepetember 27.

Palaniswami said the action of Kerala government approaching the Central government and the later entertaining the same is violative of a Supreme Court order.

"In the construction of a new dam, there has to be an agreement between the two sides. The offer made by Kerala cannot be thrust upon Tamil Nadu," Palaniswami quoted a portion from the apex's court order.

"I also request you to advise the Ministry of Environment to desist from entertaining and considering any proposal of the Kerala government on new Mullai Periyar Dam in future," Palaniswami said. 

Though located in Kerala, the Mullaperiyar dam is owned and operated by Tamil Nadu.

Kerala wants a new dam to be built so that it has the control over it.