Sanction to Kerala for EIA against apex court order: Tamil Nadu

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O.Panneerselvam Saturday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to direct the environment ministry to withdraw the clearance to Kerala to carry out an environment study for a new Mullaperiyar Dam, saying it was against the apex court order.

In a letter to Modi, the text of which was released to the media here Panneerselvam said the clearance given to Kerala by the Standing Committee of National Board for Wildlife, to conduct environmental impact assessment (EIA) is totally in violation of the judgments of the apex court both in letter and in spirit.

"Under the circumstances, I request you to direct the ministry of environment and forests to withdraw the clearance given by the Standing Committee of National Board for Wildlife for conducting the EIA study for the construction of a new Mullai Periyar Dam by the government of Kerala," Panneerselvam said.

"In this view of the matter for the construction of new dam, there has to be agreement of both the parties. The offer made by Kerala cannot be thrust upon Tamil Nadu. Issue No.9, therefore, has to be decided against Kerala and it is so held," Panneerselvam quoted a portion of the Supreme Court order given in May 2014.

Therefore, the Supreme Court had categorically held that Kerala is prohibited from constructing a new dam, he contended.