6 Feb 2010, 0832 hrs IST

Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: The CPI executive has asked the government to be cautious while dealing with Tata’s check dams in Munnar. In the executive meeting, members from Idukki pointed out that the check dam at Chittuvarai Estate was being used by estate labourers.

A senior executive member from Idukki is learnt to have told the executive that Tata couldn’t be defeated by stopping the supply of drinking water to poor estate workers. The Chittuvarai dam was built in 1946 and not recently as has been alleged, he pointed out.

Members from Idukki said that it would be better if the government took over the dam rather than demolished it. The second check dam of Tata at Lakshmi estate is mainly used for irrigation purposes.

The CPI move, orchestrated by AITUC members from Idukki led by C A Kurien, is an indication that there will be resistance from labourers if the government decides to demolish the check dam.

The CPI executive asked Revenue Minister K P Rajendran to resist any move to shift the Idukki District Collector. Some members alleged that the Chief Minister seemed to have some vested interest in demanding the shifting of the Collector.

There was criticism against K E Ismail’s controversial statement and the failure of the CPI state leadership to intervene in the Munnar issue.

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