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NT Bureau
Chennai, Apr 10:

        Tamilnadu PWD Minister Duraimurugan today said the State government would challenge its Andhra Pradesh counterpart legally if it attempts to construct a dam across the Palar river.

        Replying to an adjournment motion on the Palar issue in the Assembly, he said that since 5 February, 2006, the Tamilnadu government had been receiving reports of proposed dam across Palar river at Ganeshapuram near Kuppam. And now there are reports that the foundation laying ceremony would be held on 25 April. In connection with the purported move, Duraimurugan said that he had enquired with the Andhra Chief Minister, who had denied it and assured to send details about the project after consulting officials.

        Denying media reports on receipt of details from the neighbouring State

        on the construction of the proposed dam, he said Local Administration Minister M K Stalin and Higher Education Minister K Ponmudy had visited Andhra on 5 August, 2006 and held talks with the government there. During the talks, the Andhra Pradesh government promised to share details with Tamilnadu about the project under '892 agreement.'

        Referring to the Andhra Chief Minister's reply to his counterpart M Karunanidhi, the PWD Minister said he had stated that details would be sent. However, no reply was received at the Tamilnadu end till date.

        Taking a dig at the previous AIADMK government, the Minister charged that it had failed to take any follow-up action on the suit filed before the Supreme Court and added that DMK after coming to power took steps to expedite the case.

        Earlier, AIADMK member Pandurangan  wanted to know whether the State government would appoint a senior counsel to handle the case pending in the Supreme Court.

        PMK Floor Leader G K Mani said already Andhra Pradesh had constructed 14 check dams across the river and Karnataka too had constructed a dam across the river. The small quantity of water coming to Tamilnadu would also get stopped in the event of Andhra going ahead with the proposed construction of a dam across the river.

        He urged the government to protect Tamilnadu's rights on Palar river.