UDF plays up safety

Thiruvananthapuram: A delegation of the United Democratic Front (UDF) on Friday met Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Mullaperiyar issue and told him that the government should take adequate steps to ensure the safety of people residing in the area.

The delegation said it welcomed the chief minister’s statement that the government will set up a team of international experts for inspecting the safety aspects of the Mullaperiyar dam and that the government would hold discussions with Tamil Nadu.

However, it cautioned the government against any decision that would put the safety of people at risk. The delegation also conveyed to the chief minister people's concern over his recent statements on the strength of the Mullaperiyar dam.

Later, while speaking to reporters, opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala said the delegation wanted an assurance from the government that there will be no compromise on the safety of the reservoir.

“The government should take the same stand the previous governments in the state had taken on the issue,” he said.  “The governments did not approve the findings of the Central Water Commission and the Supreme Court that Mullaperiyar dam was safe.”

Mr Chennithala said Kerala has over the years firmed up its stand that safety of the people of Kerala must be ensured while Tamil Nadu got the water from the reservoir. He said the new stand of the government that little can be done on the Supreme Court Empowered Committee’s findings would weaken the state’s case in the Supreme Court.

“This was particularly alarming since the Tamil Nadu government was demanding raising the water level to 152 feet from the present 142 feet,” he pointed out. However, Mr Chennithala said UDF welcomed Mr Vijayan's statement that the government was not against a new dam. “We stand for a cordial relationship with Tamil Nadu,” he said. “But the interests of the State should not be compromised at any cost."