R. Nallakannu, senior leader of CPI, has accused the State government of being lethargic in desilting the Srivaikuntam dam.
Despite a ruling from the National Green Tribunal to desilt the dam in June and complete the task ahead of the Northeast monsoon , the work has not been taken up properly, Mr. Nallakannu told reporters here on Monday.
The government authorities were interested only in mining sand from waterbodies. Mr. Nallakannu alleged that there were irregularities and some persons had been attempting to illegally sell heaps of sand stripped from the dam up to a stretch of five km. A bund in the Srivaikuntam dam at Subramaniapuram, which is located at the end of fifth km, was broken to temporarily create a pathway, big enough for a lorry to enter. Besides, giant concrete cement pipes were found lying in the dam, he said.
Mr. Nallakannu wondered when a government order on desilting was yet to be issued, how work could be carried out. The CPI leader submitted a petition to Collector M. Ravikumar, who promised to take steps to execute the desilting work promptly.
