Lok Sabha Debates
Issue Regarding Enhancement Of Height Of Mullaperiyar Dam In Kerala. on 20 March, 2006
an> Title : Issue regarding enhancement of height of Mullaperiyar Dam in Kerala.
SHRI VARKALA RADHAKRISHNAN (CHIRAYINKIL): Sir, I raise the matter of urgent public importance. At the outset, I must categorically say that Tamilians and Malayalis are brothers. They belong to the Dravidian family, if I have to use the words of EVR Ramasamy Naicker. We have no dispute at all. There is a question of Mullaperiyar Dam about which I would like to lay before the House all the facts. Mullaperiyar dam was constructed in the year 1896 when the Travancore State was governed by a Maharaja. The British as well as the King entered into an agreement, and it was agreed to supply water to the people of Tamil Nadu. We have no objection. Now, the question is that the dam was constructed only with lime and sand. Two districts, namely, Iduki and Pathanamthatta are lying adjacent to this Mullai Periyar Dam… (Interruptions) MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Nothing will go on record except what Mr. Radhakrishnan says. (Interruptions)* SHRI VARKALA RADHAKRISHNAN : Let me make my submission.… (Interruptions)
Sir, if this dam explodes, these two districts will be submerged entirely in water. We are not so cruel to deny water to Tamil Nadu. We are prepared to give surplus water to Tamil Nadu at any time; we have no objection. But the point is that the dam was constructed 110 years back with lime and sand only, it may explode at any time. Now, our attempt is to construct it afresh on modern techniques. Then only, we can give water to Tamil Nadu. MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: What is your demand?
SHRI VARKALA RADHAKRISHNAN : The question is that the political parties in Tamil Nadu are unnecessarily politicising this issue. Today, AIADMK is arguing; tomorrow, DMK would argue in the coming Assembly elections. But my point is that this issue should not be made a political issue. We have no objection to give surplus water to Tamil Nadu. Mr. Subramanian Swamy gave a statement that it is an inter-State river. No; Mullai Periyar Dam is completely within the jurisdiction of Kerala State. That is why Kerala Assembly was specially convened on 14th and 15th March, and they have passed a new Statute giving protection to the dam, which is inside the State of Kerala. They are perfectly all right to pass the Statute like that. This is the situation now… (Interruptions) * Not Recorded If they are prepared to fight with each other on political arena, we have no objection, but Kerala should not be made as the topic of discussion. MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: I have heard you two to three times on this issue. Now, please conclude. SHRI VARKALA RADHAKRISHNAN : This is the position. We have no objection giving water to Tamil Nadu but our attempt is to construct a new dam with the support of the Government of India. MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Now, you are repeating. Please sit down.
Now, Shri Alok Kumar Mehta … (Interruptions)
SHRI VARKALA RADHAKRISHNAN : Sir, no water at this level can be allowed to Tamil Nadu. We have to address this issue. We have to answer. The Supreme Court cannot answer the lives of so many people living in the submerged districts of Iduki and Pathanamthatta. They can interpret a law, but they cannot interpret the situation arising out of the explosion of the dam. The people sitting there can discuss it, we have no objection. But they have no right to disturb the lives of the people living adjacent to the dam. Thank you… (Interruptions) MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Mr. P.C. Thomas, please sit down. I have already called Mr. Alok Kumar Mehta to make his submission. … (Interruptions)
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Nothing will go on record except what Mr. Alok Kumar Mehta says. (Interruptions) * gÉÉÒ +ÉÉãÉÉäBÉE BÉÖEàÉÉ® àÉäciÉÉ (ºÉàɺiÉÉÒ{ÉÖ®) : उपाध्यक्ष महोदय, बाढ़ एक ऐसी प्राकृतिक आपदा है, जो देश के कोने-कोने में है।…( व्यवधान) * Not Recorded MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Mr. Thomas, please sit down. You have not given any notice.
… (Interruptions)
उपाध्यक्ष महोदय : रिकार्ड में कुछ नहीं जा रहा है, फिर आप क्यों बोल रहे हैं?
...( व्यवधान)
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Whosoever speaks without my permission, that will not go on record. (Interruptions) * उपाध्यक्ष महोदय : थामस जी, रिकार्ड में कुछ नहीं जा रहा है। आप फिजूल बोल रहे हैं।
...( व्यवधान)
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: You are speaking without my permission. Please sit down.
… (Interruptions)
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Have you given any notice?
SHRI P.C. THOMAS (MUVATTUPUZHA): I have not given any notice but actually the issue is… (Interruptions) SHRI S.K. KHARVENTHAN : The Supreme Court has appointed a Committee.… (Interruptions) MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: You have already spoken. Nothing will go on record.
(Interruptions) * उपाध्यक्ष महोदय: रिकॉर्ड में कुछ नहीं जा रहा है।
...( व्यवधान)... * * Not Recorded उपाध्यक्ष महोदय: आपने नोटिस नहीं दिया है। आप बैठ जाएं।
…( व्यवधान)
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Shri Alok Mehta, you may first of all go to your seat.
… (Interruptions)
={ÉÉvªÉFÉ àÉcÉänªÉ& मेहता जी, आपको जब भी बोलना होता है, कृपया अपनी सीट पर जाकर बोला करें। …( व्यवधान)