Tamil Nadu Opposes New Mullaperiyar Dam in Latest Assembly Session
The Tamil Nadu government, led by CM C. Joseph Vijay, officially opposed the construction of a new Mullaperiyar dam during the recent legislative assembly session. The address also highlighted significant state debt and pledged to challenge the Centre’s financial policies regarding fund devolution.
Highlights
- •The Tamil Nadu government firmly opposed the construction of a new Mullaperiyar dam in the assembly.
- •Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s administration plans to publish a report on the Centre's financial devolution approach.
- •A White Paper highlights that individual debt in Tamil Nadu now exceeds 1 lakh rupees.
- •Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar adhered to the official government-prepared speech during the session.
During the inaugural session of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly held recently, the state administration expressed strong opposition regarding the Mullaperiyar dam issue. This development occurred following the formation of the new government led by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, who successfully secured a trust vote earlier this year.
In a formal address delivered by the government, the authorities clearly articulated their firm stance that they would not permit the construction of a new Mullaperiyar dam. The administration emphasized its commitment to resisting efforts made by the Kerala government on this long-standing dispute. This disagreement over the dam has persisted between the two neighboring states for many years, creating a significant point of political contention.
Assembly Session and Financial Concerns
The legislative session officially commenced with an address by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar. During his maiden speech before the Tamil Nadu Assembly, the Governor outlined the government's future plans, specifically mentioning the intention to pursue a more equitable devolution of funds from the Centre. Furthermore, he announced that the administration will release a comprehensive report detailing the central government's alleged discriminatory practices regarding financial distribution to the state.
The event was attended by notable figures including Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay and the Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin. Beyond the Mullaperiyar dam controversy, the session also addressed the state's economic situation. The Governor highlighted the recent release of a White Paper by the TVK-led administration, which focuses on the fiscal mismanagement allegedly committed by the previous government. The report points to a concerning financial state, noting that every resident in Tamil Nadu is currently carrying a debt burden exceeding 1 lakh rupees.
An interesting observation during this session was the Governor’s adherence to the official text prepared by the state government. This marks a notable shift from the tenure of his predecessor, RN Ravi, who frequently clashed with the previous DMK-led government, at one point even walking out of the assembly during his address due to the intense political friction between the Raj Bhavan and the state leadership.
By strictly following the government-prepared speech, Governor Arlekar’s actions signify a change in the working relationship between the Raj Bhavan and the ruling administration, even as the state continues to navigate complex inter-state disputes and challenging economic conditions.
