AIADMK headquarters secretary and former minister S.P. Velumani on Wednesday criticized the DMK government for its inaction regarding Kerala’s plan to construct a check dam across the Silandhi River, a tributary of the Amaravathi River. Velumani accused the state government of being a “mute spectator” and failing to protect Tamil Nadu’s rights over inter-state rivers.AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami raised the issue after media reports indicated that the Kerala government, led by the Communist party, was attempting to build the check dam at Peruguda. The National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) Southern bench has since issued notices to both the Kerala and Tamil Nadu governments regarding this matter.
Velumani accused the Tamil Nadu government of neglecting the issue to safeguard the business interests of the ruling party’s first family. “They are ready to pledge the state’s rights and the welfare of its people for their own benefit,” Velumani said in a statement.
He also criticized State Water Resource Minister Duraimurugan for failing to provide a clear response to the Leader of Opposition’s concerns about Kerala’s construction plans. Velumani called the minister’s response evasive and accused him of misleading the public.
“This amounts to cheating the people of the state,” Velumani said, urging the DMK government to stop shifting blame and focus on addressing the issue. He called on the state government to utilize all available legal avenues and act swiftly to prevent the construction of the check dam.
Velumani emphasized that the Tamil Nadu government should approach the NGT and take all necessary measures to protect the state’s water resources and the interests of its people.