NEWDELHI: The state has filed a ‘Note on Submission’ before the Empowered Committee (EC) reiterating its demand for a new dam at Mullaperiyar.
The submission, which is a detailed version of Kerala‘s advocate Rajeev Dhavan’s arguments before the EC last week, says that building a new dam is the only solution to the crisis. Stating that frequent tremors have caused damage to the Mullaperiyar dam, the affidavit says that the damage can be assessed only after a detailed examination of the dam structure.
As per the submission, the state has also demanded ‘just and equitable’ sharing of Mullaperiyar water. According to the submission, Tamil Nadu generates `300 crore worth electricity, around 500 million units, from the Mullaperiyar water while it gives only `7.5 lakh to Kerala. Pointing out that it is buying electricity at `6 per unit from other sources, the submission has demanded an equitable sharing.
Similarly, it has also demanded 1.1 TMC water from the dam. It has also staked claim for fishing and tourism rights.
In the submission, Kerala also expressed its willingness to sign any agreement or statute to ensure the same quantity of water to Tamil Nadu provided a new dam is built. It also says that Kerala is ready to agree to a joint committee to regulate the new dam.
Repeating its plea for a new dam, the state has said that repair works are not a permanent solution. It is willing to bear the entire expense of the new dam and also expressed its willingness to make changes in the project report on the new dam already submitted to the EC to include suggestions from Tamil Nadu or any other agency. The submission was filed on Tuesday by standing counsel Ramesh Babu. Tamil Nadu had submitted its affidavit on last Friday.