Want mutually-accepted solution to water sharing issue with Tamil Nadu: Vijayan

Replying to a submission by MLA Krishnankutty on the matter in the Assembly, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said Kerala has already written to Tamil Nadu on the need to review the Parabikulam Aliyar Project agreement and to hold a meeting to discuss it.

"I have already written a letter in this regard to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister on the need to review the PAP agreement in April," Vijayan said, adding, the neighbouring state has not intimated a date for the meeting so far.

"Kerala did not approach the matter emotionally. The state wants to resolve the water sharing issue through a mutually-accepted agreement," he said.

Kerala also expects that Tamil Nadu would respond positively to the state's approach, Vijayan said.

The chief minister informed the House that according to the agreement, Kerala was to receive 7,250 million cubic feet of water through Manakadavu weir and 12,300 million cubic feet through Kerala Sholayar reservoir during a water year (between July 1 to June 10).

But, for the last several years, Kerala was not getting that quantity of water. Continuous violation of the agreement by Tamil Nadu have resulted in water shortage in Bharatapuzhz, Periyar and Chalakudy rivers, he said.

Vijayan claimed Chitoor area of Palakkad also experienced drought as enough quantity of water was not being released.