KOCHI: Water Resources Minister P J Joseph on Friday urged the Tamil Nadu to take a humanitarian stand on the Mullaperiyar issue by considering Kerala's concern over the safety of 40 lakh people around the dam.While speaking at a meeting on water-related projects here, the Minister said the state government had proposed a new dam considering the safety of the people of Kerala. "The state government is ready to give an assurance to the Tamil Nadu government that even though the new dam is constructed, it is ready to consider the water requirements of the neighbouring state," he said. "The disparities should be sorted out through unbiased discussions."Joseph stated that Kerala was hopeful of an "unbiased stance" by the Empowered Committee on Mullaperiyar that was constituted by the Supreme Court to solve the issue. The minister said the expert team had already carried out Remote Operating Vehicle tests at the dam and other detailed tests to check the dam strength will soon be conducted. "We are hopeful that these tests will help in proving that Kerala's concern is genuine," he added.The minister's remarks came in the wake of the policy declaration made by Tamil Nadu Governor Surjit Singh Barnala at the Assembly meeting in Chennai in which it was declared that Tamil Nadu would challenge any move by Kerala regarding the construction of a new dam in Mullaperiyar.
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