The trade and industry has acceded to the call of the political parties for a statewide bandh on April 25. The call is to show their solidarity not only to the farmers demands but for impressing the need for implementation of an efficacious scheme towards bringing a permanent solution to the perennial water shortage in the state.
The bandh would be observed between 6 am and 3 pm, said S Rethinavelu, Senior President, Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The Chamber has in a release said that resolutions were passed unanimously in a meeting held last evening at Madurai to reflect the trade and industry's support to the bandh call.
It was further resolved to insist upon all political parties in the State to emphasize with Central and Tamil Nadu Governments to implement the following efficacious scheme to solve permanently the perennial water scarcity problem in the state, Rethinavelu said and pointed out that the State pleads with Karnataka for getting 192 tmc water. "But statistics show that as much 177 tmc water in the state is wasted and drained into the sea every year."
"Tamil Nadu government must initiate measures to inter-connect the 17 rivers flowing in the state. This would help in diversion of excess water to deficit areas. The government could also consider putting up a water way called Tamil Nadu Modern Water Way Transportation Scheme which will facilitate cheaper transport of goods and additional power generation.
The ground water level would improve, farmers would get adequate water for cultivation and there will be no drinking water shortage," Rethinavelu suggested and appealed to all the political parties to give top priority for implementation of the project.