The Hindu Business Line : `TN stand on Mullaperiyar untenable in historical terms'

The Chief Minister, Mr V.S. Achuthanandan, has said that an erstwhile Government in Tamil Nadu has gone on record `having committed to the Centre to keep the reservoir level at Mullaperiyar at 136 ft.'

Mr Achuthanandan released to newspersons a letter written by the then Chief Minister, Mr M.G. Ramachandran, on November 28, 1979, to the then Prime Minister, Mr Charan Singh, to substantiate his claim.

The two States have been contesting each other's stated position with regard to the maximum possible level to which water can be allowed to be stored in the reservoir.

Kerala has held that the dam is too old to hold any level more than 136 ft, while Tamil Nadu, which draws most of the water, says it can go up to 142 ft.

CONCERN EXPRESSED

In his letter dated November 19, 1979, MrCharan Singh expressed concern over the `age of the dam and the type of monsoons we have', which demanded that Tamil Nadu take up `very urgent action in this matter.' He further requested that he be kept in the know of the progress in the matter.

Mr M.G. Ramachandran had told Mr Singh that the Tamil Nadu Government had agreed to `take expeditious action' on various issues, including limiting the level to around 136 ft.

DISCUSSIONS HELD

He had also held discussions `with the officers of the Governments of Tamil Nadu and Kerala', based on which certain proposals had been made for the immediate strengthening of the dam. As per this, additional spilling capacity would also be provided.

MrCharan Singh had said that he was in receipt of a note from the Department of Irrigation pointing out that there was urgent necessity for strengthening of the dam.

A team of the Central Water Commission had made studies and sent proposals in February 1979 to the Tamil Nadu Government for strengthening the dam by earth-backing.

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