‘Kerala will bear cost of new dam’

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The report of the Supreme Court -empowered committee favoured Kerala’s demand for a new dam at Mullaperiyar, the state government claimed on Wednesday.

Chief minister Oommen Chandy told the media here the state cabinet discussed the empowered committee’s report.

“The committee has given the green signal to the state’s demand for a new dam, but with certain conditions. The final decision has to be taken by the Supreme Court,” he said after the weekly cabinet meeting.

“We will place our demand for the new dam before the apex court. We are ready to bear the cost of the new dam,'' he said.

The chief minister said the state had never opposed Tamil Nadu’s demand for water. “Our slogan is Water for Tamil Nadu and Safety for Kerala, and this stand has found acceptance with the empowered committee.'' The state was against an increase in the water level from the present 136 feet till a solution was found, he said.

Defending justice KT Thomas, the chief minister said the Kerala nominee had conveyed the concerns of the state in his dissent note to the committee.

When asked about Justice Thomas’ comment that the dam was safe for another 100 years, the CM said the remark could be based on their assessment of the present situation.

He said Justice Thomas tried his best to protect the state’s stand. “The six reasons cited by him in the dissent note are all the state’s arguments.

That’s the reason for the positive report. We don’t want controversy, but results. Our demand is for a new dam and that has been accepted,’’ he said.