JAYA 2 LAST

Jayalalithaa said that dams and reservoirs constructed on Jayalalithaa said that dams and reservoirs constructed ona river flowing within the state fall under the stategovernments’ competence and are owned and maintained by thestate governments concerned. "The overriding powers proposed to be given to theNational Dam Safety Organisation to inspect dams andreservoirs in states is against the spirit of theConstitution", she said. "The present draft bill does not specifically provide fordams and reservoirs which are owned and maintained by states,but located in another state by virtue of long standingInter-State agreements which have been upheld through SupremeCourt judgements. This is a grave omission", she said. Tamil Nadu’s Mullaiperiyar, Parambikulam, Thunakkadavuand Peruvarippallam Dams are owned and maintained by the TamilNadu Government by virtue of Inter-State agreements, but arelocated in a neighbouring state, she said. "The present draft law, cannot and should not overturnsuch rights which would affect large number of farmers andhouseholds depending on the reservoirs for irrigation anddrinking water supply", the Chief Minister said. PTI VIJ APRRCJ