CHENNAI: A scheduled meeting of Tamil Nadu water resources minister N Anand and health minister K G Arunraj with Keralam chief minister V D Satheesan and water resources minister Mons Joseph in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday to discuss pending inter-state water-sharing issues did not materialise as the Election Commission of India was yet to clear it. The meeting has been deferred, according to officials.Tamil Nadu govt sought the meeting on Friday. “Tamil Nadu wants to initiate talks with Keralam to resolve the issues amicably. The meeting with the Keralam chief minister was intended to begin discussions on areas where an agreement is possible within the existing framework. It sought the ECI’s clearance for the meeting, but permission did not come in time,” an official source said. The state govt is expected to fix a fresh date after the model code of conduct is lifted.Sources told TOI that the ministerial delegation was expected to raise issues related to the Parambikulam-Aliyar Project, whose agreement was due for review, and the implementation of the Anamalayar and Nirar-Nallar projects. It was expected to seek protection for the interests of farmers in Tamil Nadu’s western districts, including Dharapuram in Tirupur district, where a bypoll will be held on Tuesday.Congress-led UDF govt in Keralam responded to Tamil Nadu’s request on Friday itself. However, it asked that Monday’s visit be treated as a “courtesy call only,” with substantive discussions on inter-state water issues to be held at a later, detailed meeting. Keralam said it hoped the courtesy calls would be constructive and that discussions on matters of mutual concern would follow. “The exchange of concerns and an amicable settlement in due course may be pursued thereafter through constructive dialogue,” the govt said in its letter.Keralam has proposed that three issues be included in the detailed meeting: construction of a new dam at Mullaperiyar, the state’s entitlement under the PAP agreement and matters related to the Neyyar irrigation project.
