New Delhi:
In a setback for Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Karunanidhi, the Supreme Court has refused to stay the decision on survey for a new dam across the Mullaperiyar river.
Tamil Nadu had moved the Supreme Court challenging the Centre's permission to Kerala to conduct a survey in the Periyar Tiger Reserve for the construction of a new dam across the Mullaperiyar river. Tamil Nadu had sought a stay on the survey, which the court refused on Wednesday.
While the dam is located in Kerala, according to a 999-year lease agreement signed before Independence, water for irrigation has to be given to Tamil Nadu.
Kerala has contended that the fragility of the dam is a matter of concern and is causing fear and panic. Kerala has been demanding the construction of a new dam at the site, which Tamil Nadu opposes.
Karunanidhi has been under pressure back home after the Union Environment Ministry allowed Kerala to undertake a survey for building a new dam. His bête noire and Leader of Opposition in the state J Jayalalithaa recently accused him of inaction on the issue, saying the DMK should not continue in the Manmohan-Singh-led UPA government at the Centre if it cannot ensure the state's interests.
Karunanidhi has defended himself saying he has written to both the Union Environment and Forest Minister Jairam Ramesh saying Kerala should not be allowed to undertake the survey without seeking Tamil Nadu's opinion and to the Prime Minister, seeking his intervention.
Tamil Nadu had moved the Supreme Court challenging the Centre's permission to Kerala to conduct a survey in the Periyar Tiger Reserve for the construction of a new dam across the Mullaperiyar river. Tamil Nadu had sought a stay on the survey, which the court refused on Wednesday.
While the dam is located in Kerala, according to a 999-year lease agreement signed before Independence, water for irrigation has to be given to Tamil Nadu.
Kerala has contended that the fragility of the dam is a matter of concern and is causing fear and panic. Kerala has been demanding the construction of a new dam at the site, which Tamil Nadu opposes.
Karunanidhi has been under pressure back home after the Union Environment Ministry allowed Kerala to undertake a survey for building a new dam. His bête noire and Leader of Opposition in the state J Jayalalithaa recently accused him of inaction on the issue, saying the DMK should not continue in the Manmohan-Singh-led UPA government at the Centre if it cannot ensure the state's interests.
Karunanidhi has defended himself saying he has written to both the Union Environment and Forest Minister Jairam Ramesh saying Kerala should not be allowed to undertake the survey without seeking Tamil Nadu's opinion and to the Prime Minister, seeking his intervention.
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