The Hindu Business Line : Kerala sticks to demand for new dam at Mullaperiyar

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Thiruvananthapuram March 7 Kerala does not intend to give up its demand for building a new dam at Mullaperiyar, the State Water Resources Minister, Mr N.K. Premachandran, announced in the State Assembly on Wednesday.

Replying to a submission, the Minister told the House that the State would continue to raise the demand at all forums. There were serious apprehensions about the safety of the century-old dam structure. Lives of lakhs of people in the downstream districts are at stake, he said.

The Minister said that the State would stick to the spot located at 1,300 feet downstream of the existing dam for building the proposed dam, as advised by the Central Water Commission in 1979. A preliminary project report had been prepared and the costs calculated.

CAUVERY ISSUE

The Cauvery Tribunal's final award has not just fallen short of the State's expectations, but it threatens to interfere with the implementation schedule of two irrigation projects, Mr Premachandran said.

In a reply, he said the tribunal did not entertain the State's plan to execute the Mananthavadi and Bhavani projects. This was based on the assumption that this would result in the diversion of Cauvery waters to the respective river basins.

The State had been awarded 30 tmcft of water against a demand of 98 tmcft and its own contribution of 147 tmcft to the Cauvery river system. The Minister recalled that the Assessors appointed by the tribunal had themselves recommended slightly higher share for the State than what had been actually awarded.

SILT IN PERIYAR

Mr Premachandran told the House that steps had been taken to clear the Periyar waters of silt, which had rendered it non-potable.

Replying to a notice for an adjournment motion, the Minister said that resumption of operations of upstream hydel projects has beefed up the flows in the Periyar, which would help clear up the waters.

Instructions have been issued to ban sand mining in the river as the waters were found murkier wherever mining operations were concentrated. The Minister admitted to the lapse on the part of the Government in releasing impounded water from upstream reservoirs that would have helped clear up the waters much faster.

HIKE IN CHARGES

The State Government is considering a proposal for revising the water charges for industrial customers, Mr Premachandran said.

Replying to questions, he said that this category of consumers had been paying only nominal rates. A proposal for revising the tariff upwards had been pending since 1999.

A legislation to curb misuse of water with inbuilt penal provisions would be brought in. It is for the local bodies to decide on the number of taps in their respective areas, the Minister said.

Plans to modernise the public utility Kerala Water Authority (KWA) were also on the anvil.

TARIFF CUT

The State Government has demanded that the Centre withdraw the cut in tariff on edible oil imports as announced in the Union Budget, the Agriculture Minister, Mr Mullakara Ratnakaran, told the House.

Replying to a calling attention motion, the Minister said that the tariff cut would adversely hit the interests of lakhs of coconut farmers in the State.

The Minister demanded that the Centre impose a 300 per cent duty on imported edible oils.

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