KOCHI: Amidst mounting political pressure from various corners and growing protests, the Empowered Panel on Mullaperiyar meets in New Delhi on Monday.The committee will consider the latest submission by Kerala regarding the recent earthquakes in the region. At a time when the issue has been creating ripples across the country, Monday’s panel meeting would be crucial.The Empowered Committee will review the progress of some of its recent decisions and the actions taken. A decision would be taken regarding the technical study by Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS), Pune. A total of five studies have been completed so far. Of the five, partial reports of four studies have been filed while the report of one study has not been submitted. Kerala’s representations and replies submitted before the committee will be discussed on Monday. Tamil Nadu’s representations on the tests would also be considered by the committee. It is learnt that a decision has been taken not to permit no new oral ordinance. The committee would also discuss certain issues related to the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for a new dam, submitted by Kerala. Kerala has filed a request before the Empowered Committee for permitting the state’s representative to the meeting. However being an internal meeting, it is yet not clear whether the Empowered Committee will let representatives of either Kerala or Tamil Nadu to take part in the meeting.“The five-member committee will take an appropriate decision regarding permitting the representative of Kerala to appear before the committee to make any oral submission. The decision would be taken after considering other items before the committee,” said Justice K T Thomas, Kerala representative in the Empowered Committee. The Empowered Panel is expected to submit its final report to the Supreme Court by the next month. However with most of the tests still pending, it is not clear whether the committee will be able to submit the final report by January. Recently the Apex Court had extended the period of the committee till the end of February 2012.
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