CHENNAI: Hitting out at the Centre for attempting to usurp the powers of States, DMK working president MK Stalin on Sunday demanded it to give up the Dam Safety Bill.
He said the legislation would be detrimental to the interests of Tamil Nadu as four dams maintained by it were located in neighbouring Kerala. The Centre should not implement the law, he said.
He called upon the AIADMK government to adopt a resolution in the ongoing session of the Assembly to thwart the Centre’s attempt to introduce the legislation.
He also urged the Centre to keep away from usurping the powers of the States by adopting a confrontationist approach.
Recalling the introduction of the legislation during the earlier UPA regime in Parliament, Stalin said it was referred to a standing committee. The Bill, then, had a provision that it would be applicable only if a resolution was passed in the State Assemblies. However, this option has not been provided to the States now, he said.
Take steps to protect groundwater level: Vasan
CHENNAI: The State government should take steps to protect groundwater level in the State as NITI Aayog has cautioned that Chennai will face a severe water crisis by 2020, TMC president
G K Vasan has said. In a press release, he said Chennai is to face the grave situation as groundwater is fast getting depleted as per the NITI Aayog report on water management. Further, the report says the demand for water would double in the country by 2030. It is the duty of State and Central governments to maintain water bodies to protect the groundwater table. He said the State government should create awareness on the importance of avoiding wastage and using water properly.