Rpting after changes in para 12)

Opposition parties, including DMK, today criticised the Kerala government's announcement of allocating Rs 100 crore in the state budget for a new dam on Mullaperiyar.
While DMK president M Karunanidhi sought "fitting response" from Tamil Nadu government, MDMK founder Vaiko said it was against Supreme Court ruling on the safety of the dam in the inter-state dispute involving Tamil Nadu.
PMK sought Central intervention on the matter.
"I believe that the rulers in Tamil Nadu (AIADMK) will give a befitting reply in the state budget on February 16," Karunanidhi said responding to a set of questions in party organ 'Murasoli.'

Vaiko recalled that the Supreme Court had in May 2014 ruled that the Mullaperiyar dam was safe and allowed increasing the storage level to 142 ft.
In a statement, he alleged Kerala planned to demolish the

existing structure.
"Yesterday's announcement by the Kerala government allocating Rs 100 crore for a new dam is against the Supreme Court verdict. It is condemnable," he said.
PMK said in 2011 when Kerala had raised the issue of a new
dam, it had created tension and resulted in law and order problems in Madurai and Theni districts and wondered if Kerala government was planning to create a similar situation now.

"If this plan of Kerala government materialises, it will
create a rift between the people of Tamil Nadu and Kerala and will affect national integrity," PMK founder S Ramadoss said.
Centre should intervene in the matter and ask Kerala to refrain from making such "controversial" statements, and Tamil Nadu government should also remain "vigilant" on the issue, he said.
The Kerala budget had on Friday allocated Rs 100 crore for a new dam at Mullaperiyar.
Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in December (rpt December) and made a strong pitch for a new dam at Mullaperiyar to replace the over 112-year-old "structurally

weak" reservoir.
The dam, which is at the centre of dispute between Kerala and Tamil Nadu, is located in Kerala on the Periyar river but is operated and managed by Tamil Nadu.