Wednesday, March 15 2006 14:18 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Assembly today(Mar 15,2006) unanimously passed a bill amending the state Irrigation and Water Conservation Act 2003 with the main objective to retain water level in Mullaperiyar dam at 136 feet in the wake of a Supreme Court order allowing Tamil Nadu to raise the level to142 feet.

In a historic two-day sesson called solely to consider the passing of the bill, members of both ruling Congress-led UDF and CPI (M)-led LDF expressed concern over the 'dangerous Consequence' of the Apex Court verdict considering the safety of the 110-year old dam situated in Idukki district on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border.

The new legislation gives more powers to the Dam Safety Authority to ensure the safety and security of the dams, including Mullaperiyar reservoir, and retain the water level there at 136 feet.

Concluding the debate on the bill, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy maintained that state government wanted cordial relations with Tamil Nadu but could not compromise on the safety and security of the people living in five downstream districts of Mullaperiyar dam.

State Water Resources Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan said the government had received legal advice that the state legislature was competent to enact such a law.

The Government would proceed further on the matter after getting legal opinion, he added.

The special session was called after an all-party meeting discussed the court verdict and consequences the state would have to face if anything happens to the dam in the event of increasing the water level.

The session was called in an apparent bid to give a message that it was a collective voice of Kerala that the dam's water level should not be raised beyond 136 feet.

However, participating in the debate, opposition leader V S Achuthanandan criticised the Government for 'failing' to present its case 'properly' before the apex court.