Constitution of NDMA expert panel kept in abeyance

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The Centre has decided to keep "in abeyance" constitution of an expert panel by the National Management Disaster Authority (NDMA) to prepare a contingency plan for the Mullaperiyar Dam in the backdrop of strong opposition from Tamil Nadu.

A communication to this effect has been received by the State Public Works Department, a senior PWD official said.

"NDMA's decision to form an expert panel to prepare a contingency plan has been 'kept in abeyance' till the Supreme Court appointed Empowered Committee completed its work", he said.

On December 21, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, taking strong exception to NDMA forming an expert team to draw up such a plan, saying it was nothing but 'succumbing to the subterfuge' of Kerala.

She had expressed 'shock' over NDMA under his chairmanship constituting such a team to formulate a Contingency Response Plan, including 'inundation and submergence models' in the event of possible scenarios like earthquakes and floods.

The Chief Minister also took up the issue along with other matters with Singh on Sunday when he was on a two-day visit to the state.

Tamil Nadu and Kerala are locked in a bitter row over the 116 year-old structure, with the latter insisting that it be replaced with a new one, following safety concerns.

Tamil Nadu has been strongly resisting the move, saying the dam is strong.