Thiruvananthapuram: Contrary to the previous claim, the State Government on Wednesday said the East Kerala and Tamil Nadu Department officials examined the Mullasius Dam site on June 11 as directed by the Supervisory Committee appointed by the Supreme Court in February 2021.
It also said the forest department has given permission to fall 15 trees based on formal online applications from Tamil Nadu and a letter from Deputy Director of Periyar Tiger Reserve (Division Timur) on October 30, 2021.
Minister of Power Krishnankutty made this statement in assembly while responding to submissions from the opposition leader VD Satheani on behalf of the minister Water Resources Roshy Augustine.
The forest minister Ak Saseendran previously told the assembly that there was no shared inspection in Mullasiyar and permission for the logging of trees issued without the knowledge of political leadership.
Krishnankutty said the supervisory committee has requested the Department of Water Resources to make preparations needed for joint inspection of the Dam site.
Additional Secretary of TK Jose represents the country in the committee.
Also, in another meeting held on September 17, 2021, it has been noted that Tamil Nadu has asked permission to fall 15 trees, not 23, and this problem is under the consideration of the state forest and the Department of Wildlife, the Minister said, said Minister said.
Furthermore, a letter sent by the Chairperson of the Supervisory Committee to the Secretary of the Additional Head (Water Resources) on September 3, 2021 said that shared inspections had been carried out and 15 trees were identified.
It also said the application to fall trees has been sent online and the process must be accelerated, he said.
The Joint Secretary at the Union of the Ministry of Water Resources has also written to the state that the strengthening of Baby Dam, Dam Dam and Ghat are needed for the safety of the Mullasiyar dam, he said.
Sathean said the forest ministers and water resources provide conflicting answers about this issue and alleged that the decision had been taken with the knowledge of the Head of Pinarayani Minister Vijayan.
“Minister of Forest has misleaded the Assembly and made public ridicule.
Additional major secretary (water resources) also accommodate the additional costs of the Secretary of the Chief (Home and Alert), which is under the minister of the chairman.
It cannot be trusted that the order is issued without the knowledge of the Minister of Chief, “He said, adding that it would affect the demand for the country for a new dam at the peak court.
The opposition then held a walkout in protest against the government’s establishment on this issue.