High power panel rejects Keralas complaints

NEW DELHI: The High Power Committee appointed by the Supreme Court on the Mullaperiyar issue on Monday rejected the complaint filed by Kerala against the inspection carried out by a technical team at the dam site. The complaint alleged that the inspection was done without informing the State Government.But the High Power committee, during its internal meeting held here today, rejected the complaint as it came to a conclusion  that the State Government was kept in the loop regarding the visit of the Expert Committee to the dam site. The representative of the state in the committee, Justice K.T. Thomas, said that Kerala was informed of the inspection.The committee, however, appreciated the State Government for its timely submission of the feasibility report for the new Mullaperiyar Dam.The committee has further asked Kerala to submit its report immediately on the cost of demolishing the  existing dam.   It also has asked Tamil Nadu to file its reply on the project document on the  new dam.The Empowered  Committee, headed by former Chief Justice of India A S Anand, will meet again on December 5th.The Supreme Court had appointed the Expert committee following Tamil Nadu’s opposition to Kerala’s plan to build a new dam.  Kerala has been pressing for a new dam citing safety regulations, while Tamil Nadu opposes on grounds that the state will not get sufficient water to irrigate parts of Madurai district.