Raising of Periyar dam level historic step, says Jayalalithaa

Chennai: Describing the lowering of the shutters in Mullaiperiyar dam to facilitate the enhancement of water storage to 142 feet as a “victory for the people of Tamil Nadu” and “justice delivered to the people,” Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa said Tamil Nadu’ rights in the issue have been upheld.

Jaya said her government had taken effective steps and put forth strong arguments before the expert committee to get a genuine verdict delivered in favour of Tamil Nadu by the Supreme Court. As a consequence, the Supervisory Committee on Thursday decided to lower all the 13 shutters to raise the storage level in the dam from the present 136 ft to 142 ft.

“This is a victory for Tamil Nadu and its people, particularly the farmers. I’m extremely happy over this victory, which has rightfully come to us after 37 years,” she said while making a suo motu statement in the Assembly on Friday. “With this, Tamils’ rights have been reinstated in the Mullaiperiyar issue,” Ms Jayalalithaa said, amidst loud thumping of desks in the Assembly House.