The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), now in session at New Delhi, has issued the following statement:
The CPI(M) stand on the Mullaperiyar dam issue has always been guided by two principles. The first is the Mullaperiyar dam provides water to Tamilnadu which has proved vital to the agriculture and development of the areas concerned. The water supply to Tamilnadu should be assured in the future too.
The second issue is the safety of this 115 year-old dam in the hills of Idukki district of Kerala. The apprehensions about the safety of the dam have to be allayed and measures taken to ensure the safety and security of the people in Idukki and the three adjoining districts in Kerala.
The issue of the safety of the Mullaperiyar dam has come to the fore with the recent tremors recorded in Idukki. This has sparked off widespread fears among the people about the safety of the dam.
The Mullaperiyar dam issue is being considered by the Supreme Court which appointed an empowered committee to enquire into the various aspects of the problems. The Supreme Court should expedite the process and come to an early judgement on the matter. Till then, the Central government should intervene and decide on the immediate measures that are required to ensure the safety of the dam, in consultation with the Kerala and Tamilnadu governments.
The Polit Bureau would like both the states of Tamilnadu and Kerala to adopt an attitude which will help resolve this longstanding and complex issue amicably.
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