Kerala to seek study by new team on Mullaperiyar

Thiruvananthapuram: The government will focus on legally establishing the need to get a new multi-disciplinary team, consisting of best available experts, to assess the safety, strength and durability of the Mullaperiyar dam and suggest remedial measures, Governor P. Sathasivam said in the Assembly on Friday.

Addressing the first session of the fortieth Assembly, the Governor said that the government stood by the resolution passed by the Assembly regarding the dam. However, considering the legal position arising out of the Supreme Court judgement, government would focus on establishing the need to get a study by a new multi-disciplinary team.

Excise Policy
Mr. Sathasivam said that the government was of the view that the restrictions on consumption of liquor had not yielded the desired positive results. “The opinion of all sections of the society will be taken into account before my Government formulated its policy stand.”

The Government planned to constitute an awareness mission to strengthen the awareness of alcohol abstinence and anti-narcotic activities. The mission would coordinate the work of student police, Cadets, anti-narcotic clubs in schools and colleges, NSS, Kudumbashree, State Library Council, various NGOs including Madya Varjana Samithi, Students and Youth Organisations.

A state-of-the-art-laboratory would be set up to combat substance abuse. De-addiction centres would be established in all District Centres.

“My Government will establish Janamaithri Excise Offices to strengthen enforcement activities in Nilambur of Malappuram District and Devikulam of Idukki District where tribal people and estate workers reside predominantly. The Excise Academy and Research Centre at Thrissur will be upgraded to a National Academy,” he announced.