PM has an "idea" to resolve Mullaperiyar dam issue

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has an "idea" to resolve the Mullaperiyar dam issue on which both Tamil Nadu and Kerala are at loggerheads, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi said here on Wednesday.

Karunanidhi, who called on the Prime Minister, said that Singh assured to consult the Chief Ministers of both states and take a quick action in this regard.

Observing that he also drew the attention of Singh about reports of Kerala planning to build a new dam, the Chief Minister said if immediate attention was not paid, people from Tamil Nadu would be badly affected.

Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan said on tueday it would go ahead with its plan to construct a new dam at Mullaperiyar, Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan said on Wednesday.

Karunanidhi said that he also urged the Prime Minister not to take any hasty decision on the Cauvery water issue which could worsen the state's water crisis. The Prime Minister also assured to consider all aspects in this regard, he said.

He said he also requested the Prime Minister to convene a conference of Chief Minister to discuss the inter-linking of rivers project.

The Chief Minister said he also drew the attention of the Prime Minister on the need to set up a Parliamentary committee for the Most Backward Class people on the lines of SC and STs and make Tamil an official language in the Madras High Court.

Karunanidhi also met UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and President Pratibha Patil.