ERODE : Environment Minister K C Karuppannan on Saturday dismissed the notice sent by National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) to the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) and the government on pollution in Bhavani river at Mettupalayam.
Talking to Express, Karuppannan said the Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage (TWAD) Board had inadvertently sent the notice to the TNPCB that the drinking water was affected by river pollution. Based on that information, the NHRC and the SHRC sent its notices.
“There is no truth that the river water is contaminated by industrial wastes and other issues. The water is clean and, if need be, I am ready to take anyone to the river at Mettupalayam to show that in person. Someone misinformed the TWAD Board,” he asserted.
The Minister also dismissed the allegation by Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) leader Vijayakant that the State government was slow in removing crude oil spill in the sea near Chennai. “Over 90 per cent of the sludge had been removed on Friday and the remaining would be removed by Saturday evening,” he said.
Karuppannan added that he had visited the spot and there was no major harm to the fish and other marine life. Fisheries Minister Jayakumar himself tasted the fish to prove that there was no harm in eating fish caught in the sea, he said. The Minister further said the crude oil came from the engine and the two ships were kept at Ennore port. The ship owners would be asked to bear the cost of removing oil spill and sludge from the sea.