The Hindu Business Line : Kerala sees no case for renewal of Parambikkulam-Aliyar pact

Thiruvananthapuram March 13 The Chief Minister, Mr V.S. Achuthanandan, has said that the Parambikkulam-Aliyar river water sharing agreement with Tamil Nadu does not contain any provision that demands its renewal.

Instead, there was a clause for a `review' of the agreement every 30 years, the Chief Minister told the House while replying to questions. Attempts at carrying out this exercise have been on from 1988, but have not succeeded due to differences of opinion voiced by the two States.

In any case, the State Government has conveyed its willingness to discuss outstanding issues with the neighbouring State Government, the Chief Minister said. It has also made out a case for vesting with itself the right to operate and maintain three minor dams forming part of the river water scheme.

LEASE ARREARS

A sum of Rs 21.56 lakh is due from Tamil Nadu in lease arrears as per terms of the larger agreement. The Forest Department has taken up this with the Tamil Nadu authorities.

The Akshaya computer literacy project would be strengthened and extended to all districts, the Chief Minister said in reply to another question. At least 3,280 Akshaya centres are functioning currently, with financial assistance from the Centre.

NEW BILL

The Minister for Finance, Dr T. M. Thomas Isaac, told the House that the State Government was planning to introduce a legislation to check the activities of private financial institutions. It was considering a Kerala Protection of Depositors Bill with a view to protecting the interests of depositors.

Sales tax arrears due to the Government till January 31 this year had gone up to Rs 4,305.21 crore, Dr Isaac informed the House. The public sector units have to pay ST arrears to the tune of Rs 807.02 crore and stay had been granted for a cumulative Rs 530.84 crore in claims.

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

The State Government has set up of a Disaster Management Authority with Chief Minister as Chairman.

Announcing this, the Minister for Revenue, Mr K. P. Rajenderan, told the House that the authority would have nine members on it. A Government notification to this effect has already been issued.

Mr Rajendran said the State fell under a zone prone to earthquakes and steps would be taken to clear the misconception around a statement recently issued in this regard by the Union Minister for Science and Technology, Mr Kapil Sibal, in Parliament.

WASTE DISPOSAL

The Government would initiate stern action against hospitals and slaughterhouses that fail to implement waste disposal systems, the Minister for Local Administration, Mr Paloli Mohammed Kutty, told the House.

Replying to questions, he said that a Central team that visited the State recently had pointed to the lack of proper waste disposal system in the slaughterhouses, including the one in the State Capital. All local bodies have been asked to prepare solid waste management projects to tackle the garbage problem.

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