TNCC flays Ramesh for dam survey

NEW DELHI: Joining the chorus of political parties in Tamil Nadu the Congress state unit has criticised party leader and Union environment minister Jairam Ramesh over permission given to Kerala government to conduct a survey and investigation at the Mullaperiyar dam premises.

The approval, given in mid-September, was to assess the environmental effects of building a new dam.

Demanding an immediate withdrawal of the permission, Congress legislature party leader D Sudarsanam said that Mr Ramesh owed an explanation as it appeared that he was favouring the Left government in Kerala.

Mr Sudarsanam said that the permission had to be revoked as the matter was pending before the Supreme Court. He said that if the minister failed to revoke the approval, then the Congress leaders from Tamil Nadu would represent the issue to Sonia Gandhi and seek her intervention.