Sweet victory for Tamil Nadu: Jayalalithaa on Mullaperiyar

Chennai, May 7 (IANS) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa Wednesday termed the Supreme Court's judgement in the Mullaperiyar Dam dispute as a "sweet victory" for the state.

In a statement issued here, Jayalalithaa said: "After victories in gazetting the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal's final award and preventing privatisation of Neyveli Lignite Corporation, Tamil Nadu's rights have been upheld in the Mullaperiyar Dam issue through the Supreme Court. It is a sweet victory news that has made me immensely happy."

The apex court Wednesday struck down a legislation that sought to restrict the water level in the dam in Kerala.

Jayalalithaa dedicated the victory to the people of Tamil Nadu, and criticised the actions of the erstwhile DMK government led by M. Karunanidhi.

She said the case was filed by her government in 2006.

The apex court also allowed Tamil Nadu to carry out works relating to the dam maintenance and its strengthening as per the 2006 judgement.