Wednesday, September 20 2006 11:25 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Madurai: MDMK leader Vaiko yesterday (Sept 20, 2006)night appealed to the Centre to create an atmosphere that would ensure implementation of the Supreme Court order on increasing the water level of the Periyar Dam.

"Addressing a rally here, organised by his party to protect the rights of Tamil Nadu over the Periyar Dam, situated in Idukki District of Kerala," he said the Kerala Government would be setting a bad precedent if it subverted the court ruling.

"Stating that the court had given permission to Tamil Nadu to increase the dam level to 142 ft, and also strenghthen it to increase the level further to 152 ft, after analysing all pros and cons," he said.

"If the Supreme Court's fair judgement is not implemented, whom could Tamil Nadu approach for protecting its right?" he said.

He wanted to know what would happen to the unity and integrity of the nation if every state started disrespecting Supreme Court verdicts.

He urged Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi to take steps for increasing the water level, forgetting "alliance politics" and establish the right of the state on the dam issue to protect the livelihood of lakhs of people in the southern districts and for the future generation.