CHENNAI: The Union Ministry of Environment and Forest and the Ministry of Water Resources are jointly being impleaded by the Tamil Nadu government on the grounds that the Government of India has not sanctioned funds to enable diversion of water from Tamirabarani River to drought prone areas.
The ministries were instructed by the Madras High Court on Friday to file affidavits within six weeks on the State government’s submission. The Public Works Department (PWD) on Friday, filed an affidavit, in connection with a petition filed by former MLA M
Appavu, stating that a project to divert surplus water from Tamirabarani river to drought prone areas of Sathankulam and Thisaiyanvilai taluks is being stalled.
PWD contends that the first two stages of the project is nearing completion and the final phase can only be completed after getting an environment clearance certificate from the Centre.
Public Works Department claimed that 90 per cent of the funds for the project must be allotted by the Union government under the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme.
PWD in its petition has stated that the cost of the project has risen from an initial `369 crore to `661 crore primarily due to delays in completing the project.
The judges directed the union ministries to file an affidavit in the context of the stand taken by the State government indicating the time period for clearance and to indicate whether all steps required had been taken by the State government to release funds within six weeks.
The petition is scheduled for further hearing on December 18.
‘Govt order violated human rights’
Chennai: The Madras HC on Friday directed the additional government pleader to get instructions from the government in connection with a petition challenging the GO transferring a murder case to Special Bomb Blast Court, Poonamallee. The petitioner, A Beema Dowlath, mother of Toufeeq Ali, an accused in a murder case, approached the HC challenging the GO passed by the State, transferring eight criminal cases to the special court. The petitioner argued that the impugned GO is violative of human rights. Justice V Ramasubramanian, directed the additional government pleader to get instructions from the government on petitioner’s plea and posted the case to Nov 11.