The Hindu Business Line : `Water-sharing pact not at the cost of fraternal ties'

THE Chief Minister, Mr Oommen Chandy, has said that the State does not want to compromise its cordial relations with the neighbouring Tamil Nadu even while seeking to protect its rights in the long-drawn river water sharing talks.

Replying to questions on the first day of the 10th session in the State Assembly that adjourned sine die following unruly scenes soon after, the Chief Minister said the Parambikkulam-Aliyar issue defied an acceptable settlement even after 19 rounds of talks.

A review of the inter-State agreement on sharing these waters was due as early as in 1988.

The fact that Kerala has not been getting its due share of the water from the Parambikkulam-Aliyar project had been brought to the attention of the Tamil Nadu Government many times in the past.

On its part, the neighbouring State had given an undertaking during the Chief Minister-level talks held on November 6 that steps would be taken for the phased removal of pumpsets installed by farmers in the Tamil Nadu side of the Manakkadavu weir and Moolathara regulator areas.

It was also agreed that a string of 21 building structures standing in the project areas held in possession by Tamil Nadu would be reverted to Kerala. In any case, it was imperative that the State received its due share of the waters during the lean season so that farmers do not meet with a distress situation as experienced in the recent past, Mr Chandy said.

House adjourns: Immediately after the question hour on the first day of the winter session ended, the Assembly adjourned sine die amidst unruly scenes with the Opposition demanding the resignation of the Industries Minister, Mr P.K. Kunhalikkutty, who faces allegations of sexual misdemeanour.

The session was temporarily adjourned twice earlier after Opposition members trooped into the well of the House to press their demand.

The Speaker, Mr Therambil Ramakrishnan, had refused to grant leave for moving an adjournment motion on the issue.

The Opposition did not agree to the Speaker's suggestion that the issue be taken up later in the afternoon.

A stalemate ensued, forcing him to adjourn the House indefinitely.