Kerala CM writes to PM, wants panel on Mullaperiyar issue sans delay

Kerala chief minister VS Achuthanandan today made an appeal to the Centre to execute without any delay, the Supreme Court's direction to form a high-level committee examining safety aspects of century-old Mullaperiyar Dam over which the state is locked in a row with Tamil Nadu.

In a letter to prime minister Manmohan Singh, the chief minister expressed concern over the delay in the formation of the panel despite the court's clear directive in this regard. 

The Supreme Court had directed the Centre on February 18 to form a panel headed by former chief justice of India A S Anand to consider the Mullaperiyar case.

Kerala had already nominated former Supreme Court judge KT Thomas as its representative in the panel, he said.

The Centre had not yet taken steps to implement the SC directive to form the panel within one month, which would amount to dishonouring the verdict of the court, Achuthanandan said in the letter.

The ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu has said there was no need for nominating the state's representative on the committee. 

Kerala, citing safety of the dam, located in Idukki District, wants to demolish the existing structure and construct a new one at an alternative location, to which Tamil Nadu is opposed.

Though located in Kerala, the dam is under the control of downstream Tamil Nadu as it caters to irrigation and drinking
water needs of southern districts.