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The Chief Minister noted that the State Government had to continue with its good relations with Tamil Nadu, and protect the lives of the people in the State. Bill to restrict water level at Mullaperiyar

Thiruvananthapuram , March 14

A Bill seeking to retain the water level in the Mullaperiyar dam, on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border, at 136 feet was introduced in the Kerala Assembly on Tuesday.

The special session of the House was called in the wake of the recent Supreme Court verdict allowing the plea of the Tamil Nadu Government to raise the water level to 142 feet.

An all-party meeting had earlier suggested the convening of the special session to work out an action plan in the light of the Supreme Court verdict to protect the interests of the State.

The Bill seeks to amend the Kerala Irrigation and Water Conservation Act, 2003, giving more teeth to Dam Safety Authority to exercise its functions for ensuring the safety of the dams in the State. The Bill covers 10 old dams, including Mullaperiyar, which is more than 110 years old.

The Chief Minister, Mr Oommen Chandy, in his brief opening address to the two-day session, said that a permanent solution to the dispute between Kerala and Tamil Nadu on the issue of the water level in the Mullaperiyar dam had to be found. A consensus has to be arrived at for that, he said and added that "we have to think about a new dam and a new agreement".

The Chief Minister noted that the State Government had to continue with its good relations with Tamil Nadu. At the same time, it has the responsibility to protect the lives of the people in the State. The Mullaperiyar dam is not strong enough to hold water beyond the water level of 136 feet, he said.

The Water Resources Minister, Mr Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, introduced the Bill in the Assembly. The discussion on the Bill will continue on Wednesday.

More Stories on : Water | Politics | Kerala

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