Mullaperiyar row: Kerala MPs protests removal of state nominee from panel

Thiruvananthapuram, Jun 22 (PTI) UDF and LDF MPs on Monday criticised the removal of Kerala's representative from a panel constituted to evaluate the safety of the Mullaperiyar dam and sought the Centre's immediate intervention.

Congress MP Dean Kuriakose on Monday alleged that Kerala had been unfairly sidelined in matters relating to the Mullaperiyar dam.

Kuriakose told the media that Kerala expected justice from the National Dam Safety Authority, which was constituted under the National Dam Safety Act.

The state's representative, T K Sivarajan, was recently removed from the five-member Comprehensive Dam Safety Evaluation Committee (CDSEC), constituted under the NDSA to assess the safety of the Mullaperiyar dam, over which Kerala and Tamil Nadu have a long-standing dispute.

Kuriakose alleged that the state's representative, selected from a panel of three names submitted by the Kerala government, was removed unilaterally without consulting or informing the state.

"This is unacceptable and against the spirit of federalism. Kerala's representative has been removed unilaterally after due procedures had already been followed," he said.

The Congress leader said he had written to Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil seeking urgent intervention in the matter and expressed hope that the Centre would act swiftly to restore Kerala's representation on the committee.

According to him, Kerala's consistent position has been that a new dam should be constructed at Mullaperiyar to ensure the safety of people living downstream.

He criticised recent remarks by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, who reportedly opposed the construction of a new dam and favoured raising the water level further.

"That stand is disappointing and disregards Kerala's concerns. The safety of lakhs of people living across five districts of Kerala is at stake," Kuriakose said.

The MP reiterated that the Mullaperiyar dam, which is more than 130 years old, should be replaced and that public safety must remain the primary consideration.

He said the expert mechanism envisaged under the National Dam Safety Act was intended to provide an impartial assessment of inter-state disputes and stressed that Kerala must be given a fair opportunity to present its case before such bodies.

"At present, Kerala has effectively been left without a voice in the process. The Centre should immediately intervene, restore the state's representation and ensure justice for Kerala," he said.

Kuriakose added that the Assembly should also take up the matter and raise the state's concerns with the Centre.

Earlier, State Water Resources Minister Mons Joseph had also conveyed the state government's objections to the Centre and demanded that Kerala's representative be reinstated at the earliest.

CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas on Monday strongly protested the move.

In a Facebook post, Brittas said he had written to Union Minister Patil seeking immediate intervention.

Brittas alleged that replacing Kerala's representative with a member from another state while excluding the state in which the century-old dam is located was contrary to democratic and federal principles as well as the principles of natural justice.

"The practice of informing the state only after decisions have been taken is also unacceptable," he said.

The CPI(M) leader urged the Union minister to immediately review the decision to remove Kerala's representative, ensure adequate representation for the state on the committee and hold prior consultations with the Kerala government while reconstituting panels related to Mullaperiyar dam safety.

Brittas expressed hope that the union ministry would intervene urgently to address public concerns in Kerala and ensure transparency in matters relating to the dam's safety assessment. PTI