CPI(M) urges PM to intervene in Mullaperiyar issue

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: CPI(M) in Kerala today sought Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's intervention for resolving the row between Kerala and Tamil Nadu over the Mullaperiyar dam in view of the precarious condition of the 116-year-old structure and fears caused by recurrence of tremors in the area.

"The Prime Minister's initiative is essential for an out-of-court settlement of the dispute between Kerala and Tamil Nadu. So also, the empowered committee on Mullaperiyar formed by the Supreme Court should also intervene urgently in view of recent developments", CPI-M state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan said in a statement here.

"The Mullaperiyar issue should at no cost be allowed to become a source of conflict between the neighbours. Political parties on both sides should remain alert that it would not spoil the friendship of people of the two states," he said.

Kerala's demand for a new dam was justifiable. Though Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had recently taken up the matter with Union Water Resources Minister P K Bansal the latter had given no indication of the Central initiative to settle the issue, Vijayan said.

An all-party meet held in Kerala recently wanted the storage level in the reservoir to be brought down to 120 feet urgently.Tamil Nadu Government's co-operation would be crucial in carrying out this decision, the CPI(M) leader said.

In view of the current scenario, Tamil Nadu Government should approach the issue seriously and the Centre should take the initiative for evolving a consensus,he added.