Chennai: At a time when the BJP is trying to strengthen its base in Tamilnadu and is making all efforts towards it, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, the shrewd politician that he is, has played smartly and placed some important demands before the Centre.
He urged the Centre to reject and return Karnataka’s proposal to construct a dam at Mekedatu across the river Cauvery.
Speaking at a meeting with Union Minister for Jal Shakthi Gajendra Singh Shekhawat via video conferencing at the State Secretariat here, he said Karnataka has sought the Centre’s approval for construction of Mekedatu dam.
“The Central Water Commission (CWC) has given permission to Karnataka for preparing the DPR, against which I have addressed the Prime Minister and you”, he said.
Pointing out that the Cauvery water was shared between Karnataka, Tamilnadu and other States based on the Cauvery Tribunal’s Order and the judgment of the Supreme Court, Palaniswami said Tamil Nadu has filed an SLP against the Mekedatu Project in the Supreme Court.
He also urged the Centre to take up the rehabilitation and rejuvenation of river Cauvery as a National project.
Not just that, on the Dam Safety Bill (Mullaiperiyar row which is a longpending issue between Tamilnadu and Kerala), he said Tamilnadu has requested certain corrections in certain clauses in the proposed Bill and conveyed to the Centre.
The State which owns, operates and controls the Mullaiperiyar dam should have full operational control with regard to the dam safety, he said, adding, the State government’s request for corrections in the Dam Safety Bill should be included before it was introduced in the Lok Sabha. Palaniswami said with regard to Jal Jeevan Mission, baseline data of rural household has been updated and uploaded in the month of May.