Mullaperiyar : Supreme Court extends the period of empowered committee

Supreme Court of India has extended the period of the Empowered Committee, which looks into the strength of Mullaperiyar Dam, until April 30, 2012. The same time apex court expressed its deep dissatisfaction in the non co-operation of Tamil Nadu and Kerala in the inspection being carried out by the Committee to assess the strength of the dam. Court asked both states to co-operated in preparing the report.

 

The case came before the special bench headed by Justice D.K. Jain. Court observed that the delay in the preparation of the report is due to the non co-operation of both states. Empowered Committee informed the court the same observation in its status quo report.

 

Committee in its report had mentioned that boring for the safety tests will be delayed. Court asked Tamil Nadu to co-operate with the surky tests. Committee has also blamed Tamil Nadu for not completing the surky tests. Kerala’s counsel V. Giri submitted before the court that Kerala is always co-operating. Court ruled, that is not enough. The state should facilitate the functioning of the Committee. Supreme Court hopes that if Tamil Nadu completes the boring in March and Kerala gives its reply, the final report could be submitted within the extended period.

 

Kerala has requested not to include in the order the dissatisfaction concerning the non co-operation of the states. However, the court observed extending the period will be the best solution for now.