Date:19/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/19/stories/2008081957300100.htm

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Hogenakkal: Karnataka’s demand has no basis

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu Public Works and Law Minister Durai Murugan on Monday outrightly rejected Karnataka’s demand for carrying out a joint survey by the two State governments on the Hogenakkal water supply project being taken up by Tamil Nadu to provide drinking water to Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri districts.

The Minister, who is here on an official visit, was reacting to Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa’s suggestion on the joint survey.

As scheduled

“It is their opinion. However, Karnataka has no basis or justification to make such a demand. Tamil Nadu is firm to continue the ongoing project works and complete it as per schedule,” he said.

No communication

About Mr. Yeddyurappa’s suggestion that the Prime Minister convene a joint meeting of Chief Ministers of Southern States to discuss inter-State water disputes, he said the State government had received no communication either from the Centre or the Karnataka government in this regard.

Mullaperiyar issue

On the Kerala government’s proposal to construct a dam near the Mullaperiyar reservoir bordering Tamil Nadu and Kerala, Mr. Durai Murugan said: “they (Kerala) have not approached us in this regard; and we would not give permission even if they do so.”

Lawyers

To a question he said the State government, in two or three days, would appoint two government advocates in Delhi to represent its cases.

This follows the removal of government advocates V.G. Pragasam and D. Harishkumar early this month for failing to file a counter in the Sethusamudram bandh contempt case in the Supreme Court.