State yet to get documents on Mullaperiyar dam

Even after two deadlines set by the apex court are over, the state has not yet received the documents which formed the basis for the empowered panel’s report on Mullaperiyar dam. Only after receiving the documents can the state prepare its counter affidavit for the hearing to be held on October 5.

 “It was about three weeks ago that the apex court directed the registrar to provide the supporting documents to Kerala. But so far, we haven’t received anything,” Mullaperiyar Cell chairman M K Parameswaran Nair said.

 The Supreme Court had instructed to issue supporting documents to the states concerned within a month. Later, the court had again instructed to provide the documents within 10 days.

 Based on the findings of the empowered panel, and the supporting documents that the panel used to arrive at the conclusion, the state will prepare its reply to be submitted. There are about 40 test results that the panel verified to make its final report.

 The state in its reply, is planning to raise its objections. At the same time, it would focus on the alternative suggestions in the panel report that a new dam can be constructed. The state will submit before the  panel that it is ready to accept the proposal for the new dam. However, Kerala would not agree to some of the conditions regarding sharing of rights over the new dam. Also, the state will not accept the proposal for continuing with the clauses of the existing agreement.