YERCAUD: Faced with a drought situation, Tamil Nadu government is embarking on desilting the 83-year old Mettur Dam across Cauvery river, life line of delta farmers. The desilting work beginning tomorrow would help store about ten per cent of additional water in the dam, Chief Minister K Palaniswami said today.
Palaniswami said he would inaugurate the work by joining hands with the people and farmers. Stating that Amma's (late chief minister Jayalalithaa) regime was extending financial assistance for desilting in other water bodies as well, he said "some leaders," could not even "tolerate" it.
He was apparently referring to DMK Working President M K Stalin, who had days ago said his party would take up desilting of water bodies across the state while accusing the state government of "apathy" toward the issue. Palaniswami said,"they too desilt, it's okay, it is welcome..the Opposition party too has accepted the Amma government's scheme (like ones facilitating desilting)."
Not only in the Mettur Dam, but in all other water bodies (like tanks and ponds), the silt was being provided to farmers free of cost. "When farmers use the silt for farming, it will lead to additional yield and it will also be a natural fertiliser," he said.
He said the tasks, including desilting and strengthening of bunds, under the Rs 100 crore Kudimaramathu scheme was nearing completion in 1,539 lakes.
Additionally, a total of 2,065 lakes will be taken up for similar work and Rs 300 crore will be allotted for it, he said adding the scheme would help store more rain water thereby increasing the water table.
It would help farmers and also address the drinking water problem. On March 13, Palaniswami had inaugurated the ‘Kudimaramathu’ scheme to desilt waterbodies with public, farmers and self help groups’ participation.