CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu’s water position is stable because of the measures and schemes implemented by Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa’s administration, said Minister for Municipal Administration and Rural Development S P Velumani. In a strongly worded statement that put DMK chief M Karunanidhi’s allegations about the supposed water crisis to the sword, Velumani outlined how much had been done to ensure people had sufficient water.
“Karunanidhi must have considered himself a soothsayer which is why he has created an illusion that there is a water crisis in TN when there clearly is none,” he said in a statement.
Clarifying that consultative review meetings with all the concerned departments were being held every 15 days, he set aside Karunanidhi’s charge that they’d held an emergency meet only after his initial salvo, “The meeting happened on July 20, which is two days before MK raised the issue,” he said.
He also pointed out that in addition to the projects that the Jayalalithaa government has implemented, they also made 8 water schemes, announced during the previous DMK regime, come to life. “During the DMK’s period, only 1150 mld of water was given everyday while this number has increased to 1500 mld now,” said the Minister.
As the rains have been found wanting this year, the CM has taken steps to ensure that there are enough sources of public water supply with the creation of a separate scheme.
“During the previous regime, the amount spent on water related schemes was only Rs 4943 crore but during our rule the amount spent till now has already crossed Rs 7324.34 crore,” said Velumani, who charged Karunanidhi of making allegations with the upcoming assembly polls in mind.
With regard to the arrangements made for Chennai city and the local bodies that were attached to the corporation, the Minister explained how numerous schemes had been set in motion to ensure that there was always water in the reservoirs at Puzhal, Veeranam and other places. Utilising excess water from the agricultural wells in Tiruvallur to ensure supply for people was among other measures undertaken by the Chennai Metro Water Board.