New Delhi: Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed the request of Kerala to form a joint committee to decide on the water release from Mullaperiyar dam. It directed the government to approach the supervisory committee if Kerala has any complaints.
Senior advocate Jayadeep Gupta who appeared for Kerala argued that a joint committee shall be formed to decide on the water release from the dam. Kerala had alleged that Tamil Nadu did not inform before releasing water from the dam earlier this year. It caused floods in the banks of the Periyar river. Tamil Nadu refuted the allegation and claimed that they followed due process. Dismissing Kerala's plea, the bench pronounced that the present supervisory committee could handle the matter, and there is no need for a new committee.
Kerala also accused supervisory committee of not acting on its complaints. Reacting to this, Justice AM Khanwilkar pointed out that Kerala is also part of the committee and the state shall introspect the capacity of its members instead of whining in the court. However, the bench directed the committee to act immediately on the complaints.
The court also criticised the back to back petitions over the Mullaperiyar issue.
States may have political pressure. But this is not the place for it, the court said while declaring that it cannot interfere in the day to day management of the dam.
The apex court will consider petitions related to the rule curve on January 11.
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