Kerala Raises Concerns Over Exclusion of Its Nominee from Mullaperiyar Dam Safety Committee

Water Resources Minister Mons Joseph has stated that the state government was not consulted prior to the removal of T.K. Sivarajan from the five-member Comprehensive Dam Safety Evaluation Committee. The committee is responsible for assessing the safety and structural integrity of dams across the region, and its roles are critical in ensuring public safety and environmental protection.

The removal of Sivarajan has raised concerns regarding the decision-making process and transparency of the committees operations. Critics are worried that changes in committee personnel may affect the ongoing evaluations and that the lack of state consultation could undermine collaborative efforts in dam safety management.

The Comprehensive Dam Safety Evaluation Committee was established to enhance the safety measures of dams and ensure compliance with national safety standards. The committees work is particularly vital in light of past dam-related incidents in various regions, which have underscored the importance of rigorous safety evaluations.

As discussions continue regarding this matter, state officials are seeking clarification on the criteria used for personnel changes and emphasizing the need for stakeholder engagement in decisions impacting public resources and infrastructure.