Kerala is persuing the two options of bilateral talks and legal methods for getting the state's due share of water under the Parambikulam-Aliyar Project (PAP) with neighbouring Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy told the Assembly today.
A consensus has not been reached between the two states to review the agreement despite different level of talks held several times since 1988, the year when the original agreement (of 1970 on sharing of water of the inter-state rivers) expired, he said replying to a calling attention motion.
Moving the motion, Jose Thettayil (JD-S), wanted the government to take necessary steps to redress the scarcity of water experienced in Chalakduy River Divsion scheme in view of the non-renewal of Parambikulam-Aliyar pact
Chandy said a total 22 meetings had been held during these years, but a consensus with regard to sharing of water could not be reached between Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
He said Tamil Nadu had not violated the agreement in 2013-14 and had released the state's due share of water during the period. As per the agreement, Kerala was to get 12.3 TMC of water through Kerala-Sholayar Power House route.
However, he pointed out that in 2012-13, Kerala did not get its due share of water and the state had raised the matter in the Supreme Court.
There was also need for co-ordination between Kerala State Water Authority and Kerala State Electricity Board for getting water from Tamil Nadu, he said adding necessary instructions in this regard would be issued.
The state government was not for any compromise on getting water that was required for agriculture and drinking purposes, he added.
