All major political parties in the State have voiced opposition to the Expert Appraisal Committee’s decision to grant permission to develop the Terms of Reference for the Kerala government’s proposal to construct a new dam across the Periyar to replace the existing Mullaiperiyar dam. They have urged the Centre to withdraw the decision, besides demanding that the State government file a contempt case.
DMK Treasurer Duraimurugan said that the development had come as a shock to the farmers of Tamil Nadu, and that it would pose a threat to the cordial ties between the two neighbouring States.
“The preliminary clearance granted to the project by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests without the concurrence of Tamil Nadu is a case of contempt of the Supreme Court judgment..The Edappadi government should file a case against the Union Ministry,” Mr. Duraimurugan contended.
‘Against interests of T.N.’
The DMK had also requested Kerala Chief Minister and LDF leader Pinarayi Vijayan to withdraw any such project considering the welfare of the people and farmers from both the States, he added.
PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss expressed shock at the Committee’s decision and condemned the position taken by the Centre which, according to him, was against the interests of Tamil Nadu. “When there is no need for a new dam across the Periyar, where is the necessity for any study to be conducted?" the Lok Sabha MP from Dharmapuri asked.
MDMK founder Vaiko strongly condemned the decision of the Union Ministry's Expert Appraisal Committee and further demanded that the conditional clearance granted to Kerala should be withdrawn immediately. When the Supreme Court had put a “full stop” to the Mullaperiyar issue, the latest move was a "major injustice" to Tamil Nadu, he said.
Tamil Maanila Congress leader and former Union Minister G.K. Vasan opposed the Centre's decision and urged it to withdraw the recommendation for drafting the Terms of Reference for the project.
Condemning the Committee’s decision, AMMK founder T.T.V. Dhinakaran said the State government should take legal steps to address the issue.