PM's intervention sought to settle Mullaiperiyar dam issue

Communist Party of India's (CPI) Tamil Nadu unit has sought Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's intervention to resolve the Mullaperiyar dam issue.

The prime minister should invite Tamil Nadu and Kerala ministers, hold talks and find a solution before the issue gets worse, CPI state secretary D Pandiyan told reporters in Erode last evening.

On the Kudankulam nuclear power project issue, the CPI leader said the Centre should dispel their fear of the locals who are agitating citing safety concerns.

On FDI in retail trade, he said the government should place a bill in Parliament for discussion and also get approval before allowing the same.

He said the government's move would affect lakhs of small and medium traders and force them to close their trade.