THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala will remain firm on its stand that a new dam is essential at Mullaperiyar, Water Resources Minister P J Joseph told the Assembly on Wednesday. Replying to a question, Joseph said it had been proved that the old dam was unsafe. "We are firm on our stand. There is no change," Joseph said, replying to a question. While Kerala expected a favourable decision from the Supreme Court on the dam issue, the state also agreed with Tamil Nadu that disputes should be solved through discussions. Joseph was reacting to Tamil Nadu Governor S S Barnala's comment during his address in the Tamil Nadu Assembly that the state preferred to settle disputes through negotiations. However, Joseph said that Tamil Nadu should acknowledge Kerala concerns about the safety of its people and property. "We have no problem whatsoever in providing water to Tamil Nadu," Joseph said. Kerala has proposed to construct a new dam 366 metres downstream of the centuryold one at Mullaperiyar. The draft DPR was ready and was under scrutiny, the Minister said in a written reply to the House. "I was the first person to recommend a 'badal' dam. We are firm on the issue," Joseph said. Attappadi irrigation project The state government will take urgent measures to implement the Attappadi Irrigation project, Joseph said. The Kaveri Tribunal has allocated six TMC of water to Kerala which can be used to irrigate 5,000 hectares of land. Endosulfan fears It is suspected that the banned pesticide endosulfan may be the cause of illnesses in the mango plantations of Muthalamada and Kollencode in Palakkad, Health Minister Adoor Prakash said in a written reply. The Health Department has noticed the use of endosulfan in the plantations. The Palakkad DMO has been asked to submit a report on the issue. A superspeciality hospital for treating Endosulfan victims was also under consideration, he said. Crime among cops 25 police officers were suspended during the LDF term in connection with 12 custodial deaths, the Assembly informed.
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