The Mekedatu dam dispute has escalated, with C.T.R. Nirmal Kumar, Tamil Nadu's Law Minister, taking aim at D.K. Shivakumar,Karnataka's Deputy Chief Minister,over his management of the issue. Speaking from Chennai,Nirmal Kumar claimed the Karnataka government has no right to start bhoomi pooja for the dam,pointing to Supreme Court of India directive that only calls for a project report submission.
Nirmal Kumar didn’t hold back, saying,"Our Chief Minister, C. Joseph Vijay,will not permit this," and criticized Shivakumar's actions as politically driven. He warned that such tactics are harmful and deserve condemnation. These remarks came as he handed out job letters to 45 government advocates.
Nirmal Kumar stressed the need for Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to work together, noting their economic ties. He said policies already in place dictate how the two states interact,outlining the responsibilities they each have in inter-state matters. "Responsibility cannot be discarded in such matters," he insisted .
When asked about holding an all-party meeting to address the Mekedatu issue,Nirmal Kumar said the government must first firm up its legal strategy. This follows Supreme Court's dismissal of Tamil Nadu's review petition on the project,leaving any further actions to the central government .
He also tackled questions about possibly releasing long-serving inmates. Nirmal Kumar said the government is looking into parole options while trying to find a more permanent solution for these individuals .
The minister also discussed plans to set up Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) aimed at improving the handling of cases involving women and those under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) law. "We are committed to accelerating case processing as part of our electoral commitments," he said,emphasizing the need to address the backlog and lack of judicial staff. Timely justice for victims, especially women, is crucial.
Reflecting on the previous administration, Nirmal Kumar remarked, "Women encountered significant obstacles during legal inquiries and court processes." He confirmed that talks with legal experts are ongoing to create SOP,which he believes is vital for effective justice delivery.
