Chennai, March 9( BPNS)
Tamil Nadu Water resources minister and senior leader of DMK, S. Duraimurugan has said that Tamil Nadu will not allow construction of a dam at Mekedatu by Karnataka. In a statement on Tuesday, the senior leader said that the construction of a dam at Mekedatu would lead to stoppage of Cauvery water flow to Tamil Nadu.
He said that even if Karnataka increases its budget for construction of dam from Rs 1000 crore to Rs 5000 crore, the people of Tamil Nadu will not allow a single brick to be placed for its construction. The minister said that Tamil Nadu would take recourse to all available legal route to prevent the construction of the dam.
The senior DMK leader said that the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal(CWDT) has clearly stated that the upper riparian state cannot claim sole right over the water of an interstate river. The Tamil Nadu Water Resources Minister said that constructing a dam at Mekedatu is a gross violation of the verdicts of the CWDT as well as Supreme Court of India.
The Minister also said that the Union Environment Ministry had categorically stated that it would not give approval to the project without the consent of Tamil Nadu.
Meanwhile AIADMK leader and former Chief Minister, O. Panneerselvam called upon Chief Minister, M.K. Stalin to convene an all-party meeting on the issue.
He also called upon the Chief Minister to convene the state legislative assembly and to pass a resolution urging the central government to reject Karnataka’s request to sanction permission for construction of a dam at Mekedatu.
He said that the statement of Union Water Resource minister that the central government will not interfere in the issue and that it should be resolved by talks between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu is a matter of concern.
The former Chief Minister also said that Karnataka was not releasing water to Tamil Nadu as per the Supreme Court verdict and said that only surplus water was reaching the state.
Tamil Nadu Water Works Minister, S. Duraimurugan while speaking to BPNS said, “ I am discussing the matter with the Chief Minister and we will also consider the suggestion of the opposition regarding a resolution. Anyway, we will take all legal steps to prevent the construction of a dam at Mekedatu which will dry up Tamil Nadu.”
