Chennai, June 1(BPNS)

Tamil Nadu Minister for Cooperation, I Perisawami said that the state government has released water from Mullaperiyar reservoir for irrigating Theni, Dindigul farmlands.  The minister released the water after an order from the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, MK Stalin.

The farmers of Theni district had requested the Chief Minister to release water from Mullaperiyar reservoir on June 1 so that they could commence farming activities for the single crop.

The minister said that 200 cusecs of water would be released for irrigation and 100 cusecs for drinking purposes from Tuesday onwards.

This is the first time after 2006 that the water from the Mullaperiyar reservoir is released. It is to be noted that this year after considerable rains at the catchment area the water level at the  Mullaperiyar reservoir was 130.90 feet( Permissible level 142 ft).  Public works department officials of Tamil Nadu said that that last time in 2006 when water was released from Mullaperiyar reservoir the water level was 124.4 ft and if water level touches 120 ft and above the water should be released for irrigation and drinking purposes.

Theni PWD officials said that the water released from Mullaperiyar reservoir would lead to irrigating 15000 acres of farmland helping farmers in Theni, Dindigul and those with farmland along the Periyar Mainland in Madurai district.

Minister I Periswamy appealed to the farmers to make judicious use of the water released from Mullaperiyar and to reap maximum benefits. He also said that the government has already directed cooperative societies to provide loans to farmers without delay.

Cumbum MLA N Ramakrishnan, District Collector Krishnanunni were present with the minister along with PWD officials and Agriculture department officials.