Table report on Tamirabarani supply to SIPCOT, government told

In the petition filed by petitioner, CM Raghavan, an AAP functionary from Tirunelveli, he had pointed out that Tamirabarani is the only perennial river in Tamil Nadu and it benefits people of Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi. 

The river supports several water schemes in Virudhunagar and Ramanathapuram districts. The river water to the tune if 48,66,700 liters is supplied to 25 companies in Gangaikondan SIPCOT. Tirunelveli Collector had given permission for all the companies and due to which all four districts had been affected. 

The private cola companies were allowed to set up plants and draw water from Tamirabarani in 2006, but in the agreement, it was mentioned that in case of drought the companies should arrange for their own water resources. Now, there is severe drought and hence water need not be supplied to the companies. 

Apart from that in the previous case that was dismissed, the court had said that the petition was filed at targeting only the cola companies while other companies are using the river water. When the case was heard on Monday, the PP said that water supply had been stopped to all the companies since November and now water is supplied just for drinking purpose. 

Following the argument, the Court had directed the Secretary of Public Works Department to submit the information about the quantum of water supply to the companies from the Tamirabarani and had adjourned the case to April 28.

Meanwhile, Tirunelveli Collector, M Karunakaran, said that water supply from the river had been stopped to the two major cola companies functioning at SIPCOT till April 30. Though the court had lifted the ban on water supply to the two companies the district administration had demanded the MD of SIPCOT to stop water supply till April 30. 

As demanded by the district administration water supply has been stopped since March 1 and it will be extended till April 30.