Don't allow Kerala, Karnataka projects on Cauvery, TN urges Centre

The Tamil Nadu assembly on Friday unanimously urged the central government not to accept recommendations for conducting an environmental impact assessment (EIA) for a dam across Siruvani river in Kerala.

Passing a resolution moved by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa in the assembly, the state also urged the central government not to allow any projects by Kerala and Karnataka till the Cauvery Management Board and the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee come into force and judicial references are finally settled.

The resolution was moved and passed following the recommendations made by the Expert Appraisal Committee for River Valley and Hydroelectric Projects of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

The committee at its meeting on August 11 and 12, recommended grant of Standard Terms of Reference for conducting EIA to Kerala so it could build a dam across Siruvani river at Attappady.

Earlier, moving the resolution, Jayalalithaa said Siruvani river is a sub-tributary of the Cauvery river which is an inter-state river.

She said the Cauvery Tribunal has taken the water available to Kerala from Siruvani river and has arrived at the sharing of waters between various states.

The Tamil Nadu government has written to the Centre and the Kerala government, objecting to the proposed project.

Jayalalitha said the central government has not informed Tamil Nadu about the proposal or that it would be considered at the Expert Appraisal Committee meeting.

--IANS

vj/in/vt