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The Supreme Court on Friday directed the State of Kerala and Tamil Nadu to extend whatever possible assistance is required by the Supervisory Committee while pronouncing its order over the issue of the Supervisory Committee in the matter concerning the safety of the Mullaperiyar dam.

A bench of Justice AM Khanwilkar and Justice Abhay S Oka and Justice CT Ravikumar said, "The Supervisory Committee can also entertain the applications of the locals on the suggestions and threats on the dam safety issue and address the same in a time-bound manner."

In addition to this, the bench further directed that the Chief Secretary of both the States will be responsible to make suggestions to the Supervisory Committee and to the advisory committee for the safety of the dam.

The bench added, "We hope that the competent authority will work towards the safety, whereas, clarified that this is only a temporary arrangement."

The bench was hearing a writ petition 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.

Earlier, The bench after hearing the Kerala Government and Tamil Nadu objecting to the functioning of the Committee said that the Court intends to strengthen the Committee and the Committee will have all the powers under the 2021 Act, let there be some problems, then we'll look into it. "You are anticipating everything," Justice Khanwilkar added.

Senior Advocate Jaideep Gupta arguing before the Supreme Court had submitted that in the long run, a process for the construction of a new dam has to start considering the issue surrounding the Mullaperiyar dam’s safety.

The state of Kerala in its written submission submitted before the Supreme Court that the state of Kerala is only concerned with protecting and keeping safe the life and properties of the people in downstream reaches of the river basin of the river Periyar as it flows down the Western Ghats and meets the sea north of Cochin.

(The story will be updated once the order is out.)

Case Title: Dr Joe Joseph & Ors. V. State of Tamil Nadu & Ors.