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Journalism of Courage
Treading cautiously on the Mullaiperiyar dam row,the ruling DMK on Saturday resolved not to send an expert to represent Tamil Nadu in the five-member empowered committee constituted by the Supreme Court,maintaining that an earlier committee had already guaranteed the safety of the dam.
Criticising Kerala for not honouring the apex court judgment delivered four years ago,the resolution adopted by the general council of the party said a seven-member committee set up by the Centre had already vouched for the safety of the structure,and thus there was no need to send a representative to the latest body. Some of the Opposition parties and organisations had already come out against the constitution of the new committee,flaying the state government for its alleged failure in presenting its case effectively during the course of court hearing.
The Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court had set up the committee to look into the safety of the century-old structure,Tamil Nadus demand for increasing the water level and Keralas insistence on building a new structure.
Three former AIADMK legislators,including well-known theatre artistes S Ve Shekhar,were present during the meeting as special invitees. The general council meeting was attended by all senior leaders including party president and Chief Minister Karunanidhi,general secretary and Finance Minister K Anbazhagan,Dy CM M K Stalin,party organising secretary and Union Minister M K Azhagiri,his Cabinet colleagues A Raja,Dayanidhi Maran and others.
