"For day to day management, you are coming to the Supreme Court": Supreme Court scraps Kerala Govt's plea seeking prior notice before Mullaperiyar dam water is released

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The Kerala government had moved the Supreme Court seeking a direction to Tamil Nadu to not release a huge quantity of water from the dam, saying it causes heavy damage to people living downstream.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to entertain an application seeking 24 hours prior advance notice every time before the release of water from the Mullaperiyar Dam is made

A bench of Justice AM Khanwilkar and Justice CT Ravikumar noted,

 "we deem it appropriate for such requests be made before the supervisory committee first, whereas, if such request is made, the committee shall consider such request expeditiously in right earnest."

Kerala Government submitted, "They are holding the water at a level and letting the water through if there is rain and level raises without any notice at the middle of the night. We may be given notice 24 hours prior."

However, the bench said, "Your representative is there in the committee, you blame him. For day-to-day management, you are coming to Supreme Court. You ask him he'll place his objection it'll be on record and committee's decision will be final."

Whereas, Senior Advocate Jaideep Gupta appearing for the respondents (Tamil Nadu) submitted that the court should stop entertaining such petitions, otherwise they will keep on coming.

In connection to which the bench noted in its order that "no application shall be filed in this court for such grievances which can be sorted out consensual approach on both sides."

The application has been filed in a plea highlighting the inaction of the Supervisory Committee appointed by the Supreme Court for taking care of material and safety aspects of Mullaperiyar Dam and urging the proper monitoring of the dam. 

The bench has kept the main matter for hearing on January 11, 2022.

Case Title: Dr Joe Joseph and Ors. Vs. State of Tamil Nadu and Ors.