New Delhi: In a major  setback to the Kerala Government, the Supreme Court in India has kept down the laws that declares the vulnerability of Mullaperiyar dam and allowed Tamil Nadu Government to raise the water level. A five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice R M Lodha directed the Kerala government not to implement the Kerala Irrigation and Water Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2006. The court has appointed a three-member committee to supervise the safety of the dam periodically. The members of the committee are representatives of the Center and the governments of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The committee has been authorized by the court to issue directions for ensuring the safety of the dam. On August 21, last year, the apex court had, reserved its verdict on the legal battle between Tamil Nadu and Kerala governments over the Mullaperiyar dam. There had been differences between the two states over the safety of the dam. While Tamil Nadu declared the dam was safe and its water level had to be raised from 132 feet to 136 feet, Kerala objected it by saying that the structure has been running weak and need to be replaced for the sake of the people residing on the banks of the Periyar river. As tension between the two states rose in December 2011, a two-member technical team was appointed by the apex court to assess the condition of the dam. They visited the site and concluded that there is no need to worry about the safety of the dam. The recent verdict of the Supreme court is on the basis of the conclusion put-forth by the two member technical committee. The Kerala state cabinet meeting which is scheduled already will be discussing the legal aspects of the recent Supreme Court order.

Video on Supreme Court panel visiting Mullaperiyar Dam site