Kerala and Tamil Nadu to hold talks over Sholayar water dispute
Kerala has proposed a Joint Water Regulation Board meeting in November to address allegations regarding water sharing under the Parambikulam-Aliyar Project.
Kerala has proposed a meeting of the Joint Water Regulation Board on November 9 or November 13 to discuss the Sholayar water dispute with Tamil Nadu, according to Urban Acres.
Kerala Irrigation Minister Mons Joseph said the state is responsible for convening the meeting under the interstate agreement protocol. He stated the final date will be decided after consulting with Tamil Nadu officials.
The proposal follows concerns from farmers in the Chittur and Nemmara regions regarding water for the second crop season. A memorandum from Chalakudy MLA Saneesh Kumar Joseph to Chief Minister V D Satheesan stated that Kerala is entitled to 348 million cubic metres of water annually from the Sholayar sub-basin.
Under the Parambikulam-Aliyar Project agreement, this allocation must be delivered between July 1 and February 1. Saneesh Kumar Joseph noted that Kerala had been provided about 185 million cubic metres between July 1 and October 6, leaving a deficit of 160 million cubic metres.
Chalakudy River Protection Council leader S P Ravi alleged that Tamil Nadu diverted water from the Tamil Nadu Sholayar Dam to Parambikulam in violation of the agreement. Ravi also said water flowing into the Tamil Nadu Sholayar, including water from Nirar, should be released into Kerala Sholayar until the state's allocation is met.