Coimbatore, July 27 (INS). Tamil Nadu’s Revenue Minister on Monday said Karnataka will not be allowed to proceed with the proposed Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir Project. He reiterated the state government’s firm stand to protect Tamil Nadu’s rights over the Cauvery waters.
Reiterating Tamil Nadu’s opposition to the Mekedatu project, K.A. Sengottaiyan announced that Karnataka would not be allowed to proceed with this proposal. He said, “Not a single brick will be laid for Mekedatu Dam. Chief Minister Vijay will not allow this.”
He also spoke on the state government’s opposition to NEET, the proposed metro rail projects in Coimbatore and Madurai, the AIADMK MLA disqualification issue and the upcoming state budget.
Speaking to reporters at the Coimbatore airport, the minister said Chief Minister Joseph Vijay is providing good governance and is dedicated to accelerating infrastructure development across Tamil Nadu. He said the Chief Minister wants to run metro rail in Coimbatore and Madurai to strengthen urban transport and meet the growing needs of both the cities.
Sengottaiyan said the state government has already written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking the central government’s approval and support to implement the metro rail projects in both the cities. He said that the Chief Minister is a person of strong intentions for planned development of the entire Tamil Nadu.
Responding to the action of disqualifying four AIADMK MLAs, he said that AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. A representation was given to the Speaker in the presence of Palaniswami demanding a direct investigation. He expressed confidence that the Speaker will take the right decision after investigating the matter.
Regarding NEET, he said that the sentiments of the people of Tamil Nadu have been kept on priority. Reiterating the state government’s point, he said that Chief Minister Vijay is fully dedicated to providing exemption from NEET to the students of Tamil Nadu.
He said that the Chief Minister had clearly told the Prime Minister that the examination was having a negative impact on the students of the state and appealed to the Central Government to reconsider the policy.
According to the minister, the government will continue to pursue all constitutional and legal options to protect the interests of students.
The minister refused to give any information regarding the upcoming budget of Tamil Nadu and said that it will remain confidential until it is presented in the Assembly. He said that its provisions will become clear after the presentation of the budget.
–IANS
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