: Seeking to turn the tables on DMK over drinking water distribution, Municipal Administration Minister S P Velumani today termed their protest as amusing "as there is no such issue", drawing strong protests and leading to heated exchange of words in the Assembly.
A calling attention motion on drinking water situation was moved by DMK and other members in the House.DMK legislator J Anbazhagan said proper water supply should be ensured and he made a remark later which was expunged.
The Minister, in his reply to the motion said DMK's protest on drinking water was "very amusing" as it was staged when there was no such issue.
"New pots were brought and given and when we inquired, there was no such issue of drinking water scarcity in the area," he said.
"DMK men from elsewhere came to the protest venue and after the agitation left the place," he said, underlining that it was not locals who had protested in Kolathur, the constituency represented by DMK treasurer M K Stalin.
However, DMK members contested the Minister's point and levelled charges on the issue, which could not be heard properly in the din, as Left members suddenly rose to their feet, holding placards against the Centre.
Velumani detailed the steps and projects undertaken to meet the water demand and asserted that drinking water supply is ensured across the State despite reduced levels of rainfall over the past three years.
"In all regions of Tamil Nadu drinking water distribution is being done in a good manner due to the steps of Chief Minister Jayalalithaa despite low levels of precipitation in the past three years," he said.
The number of water-tankers have been increased to 560 from 350 during the DMK regime in Chennai. "On an average, every day 5500 trips are made to distribute water in Chennai," he said. Also, for the new areas added to Chennai Corporation,water supply has been increased to 101 MLD (Million Litres a Day) from 56 MLD.
Targeting DMK,he said "while only Rs.7,280.42 crore was allocated during the DMK regime for drinking water projects in urban and rural areas, in the past four years, Rs 19,404 crore has been allocated."
He also referred to a host of projects and initaitves including the new Veeranam Scheme to supply drinking water to Chennai, Minjuur and Nemmeli desalination plants and hiring farm pumps in Tiruvallur District to supply drinking water to Chennai.
