Policy address reiterates Kerala’s stand on new dam at Mullaperiyar
The Hindu
The Water Resources department plans to establish an ‘Irrigation Museum’ at Cheruthoni, Idukki
Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, in his policy address in the State Assembly on Monday, reiterated Kerala’s stand that a new dam should be built at Mullaperiyar. The State government will also give shape to a comprehensive project to protect the Periyar river banks in the Mullaperiyar region, according to the policy address.
‘’Kerala has been taking a consistent stand that while sufficient water should be given to Tamil Nadu, a new dam needs to be constructed considering the grave threats posed by existing aged Mullaperiyar dam,’‘ the Governor said in his address.
Effective utilisation of 0.075 TMC of water can be guaranteed with the completion of the Pattissery dam on the Pambar river, the policy address said.
A comprehensive Meenachil Flood Mitigation Survey will be undertaken to analyse the reasons for the flooding in Pala and downstream region during monsoons.
The Water Resources department will establish an ‘Irrigation Museum’ at Cheruthoni, Idukki, so that the younger generation gets an idea about dams and irrigation systems, the policy address said. The government will also take steps to promote the concept of irrigation tourism, it said.
In a bid to tap the tourist potential of dam sites managed by it, the department had appointed Kerala Irrigation Infrastructure Development Corporation (KIIDC) as the nodal implementing agency for ‘irrigation tourism.’
The department has so far provided functional household tap connections to 15 lakh homes under the centrally-assisted Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), according to the policy address.
“We are judges and therefore, cannot act like Mughals of a bygone era ... the writ courts in the guise of doing justice cannot transcend the barriers of law,” the High Court of Karnataka observed while setting aside an order of a single judge, who in 2016 had extended the lease of a public premises allotted to a physically challenged person to 20 years contrary to 12-year period stipulated in the law.
The High Court of Karnataka on Monday declined to interfere, at present, in the investigation against a Bharatiya Janata Party worker, who is among the accused persons facing charges of circulating obscene clips, related to “morphed” images and videos clips related to Prajwal Revanna, former Hassan MP, in public domain through pen drives and other modes.
The 16th edition of Bhoomi Habba was held on June 8, at the Visthar campus. The festival drew a vibrant crowd who came together to celebrate eco-consciousness through a variety of engaging activities, creative workshops, panel discussions, interactive exhibits and performances, all centered around this year’s theme: “Save Water, Save Lives.”