New Delhi:
The Supreme Court today said it cannot appeal to the Prime Minister to call an urgent meeting over the Mullaperiyar dam, because Tamil Nadu has objected to that.
The governments of Kerala and Tamil Nadu have been fighting - in court and outside - over whether the 116-year-old dam is safe. The Kerala government feels it's not, and wants it razed and rebuilt. It has offered to pay for the reconstruction and guarantees that it will not change the amount of water Tamil Nadu receives. By an unusual agreement, the water from the dam which is located in Kerala is used entirely for farmers in Tamil Nadu.
With deep distrust on both sides, and escalating tension in the areas around the dam, the Kerala government suggested today that the Supreme Court should ask the Prime Minister to hold a mediation session. Tamil Nadu says not yet, because an expert committee appointed by the court has yet to complete its inspection of the dam and submit its findings.
The Kerala government said in court that no water dispute in the country has ever been resolved through a court order. "If the PM 's effort succeed, everyone will be happy. The Centre must not be a mute spectator," responded the judges.
They also dismissed an appeal by the Tamil Nadu government demanding paramilitary forces to stand guard at the dam to prevent it from vandalism. The Kerala government assured the court that it has increased security at the dam.
Earlier in the day, the Tamil Nadu Assembly unanimously passed a resolution on the Mullaiperiyar dam issue. Chief Minister Jayalalithaa moved the resolution that Tamil Nadu will not give up its rights because of "an imaginary threat to the dam."