She was referring to the Centre's approval to Kerala for conducting a survey to construct a new dam on the inter-state Mullaperiyar river despite Tamil Nadu's opposition.
Accusing the Centre of having "different yardsticks" on the Mullaperiyar dam issue, involving Tamil Nadu and Kerala, AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa today said while New Delhi could object to China building a dam on the Brahmaputra, why wasn't a similar rule applicable in Tamil Nadu's case too.
''India is objecting to China building a dam on Brahmaputra river in that country on grounds that it would affect the ecology of several Indian states,' she said.
Following a media report that China had begun constructing a dam on the river as part of the Nagmu hydroelectric project, India had said such a project may have significant impact on the socio-economic condition of people living downstream.
''If one nation can object to the actions of another in the matter of river sharing, does not Tamil Nadu have valid grounds to push its case through vis-a-vis a neighbouring state,'' she said in a statement here.
''Are not both Kerala and Tamil Nadu states of Indian union? Do the prime minister and the Union minister of state for forests and environment (Jairam Ramesh) have different yardsticks while dealing with identical issues concerning the Indian nation and Tamil Nadu state,'' she said.
She was referring to the Centre's approval to Kerala for conducting a survey to construct a new dam on the inter-state Mullaperiyar river despite Tamil Nadu's opposition. Kerala is going ahead with the survey for building a new dam which would be 'against the interests of the people of Tamil Nadu". It would affect drinking water supply as well as irrigation in five districts in the state, Jayalalithaa said.
She said chief minister M Karunanidhi should have withdrawn his party, DMK's support to the Congress-led UPA government when the Centre failed to act on his plea seeking withdrawal of permission to Kerala for conducting the survey.
The two states have been at loggerheads over the dam issue with Tamil Nadu opposing the new reservoir in place of the 113-year-old existing one and also the Centre's permission for conducting the survey. Tamil Nadu has also moved the Supreme Court seeking a stay on the survey.
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