more-in RAJAPALAYAM The BJP has sought a ban on sand quarrying near dams and bridges across the rivers. The two-day party State executive committee meeting that concluded here on Sunday passed a resolution to this effect. The party attributed the collapse of a few shutters at Mukkombu regulator to indiscriminate sand quarrying on the Cauvery. Cautioning that such an incident could recur at Kallanai, the party wanted the State government to take emergent steps to prevent it. The BJP also wanted the government to implement a water management scheme with the help of experts as Cauvery water failed to reach several tail-end regions despite floods. Assistance from NABARD should be fully utilised for renovation of tanks, ponds and rivers. Referring to the Chief Minister and police blaming “antisocial elements” for the recent riots in the State, the party sought stringent action against “terrorist” groups. Former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakashe revealed that Indian government helped his country to massacre 1.37 lakh Tamils, a resolution said, adding it had also exposed the anti-Tamil stance of the Congress and the DMK. Stating that political interference in temple administration had led to large-scale corruption, the party sought retrieval of stolen idols and ornaments and temple lands under encroahment. It thanked the Centre and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the formation of the Cauvery Water Management Authority, and for taking efforts for interlinking of Godavari-Cauvery rivers and for its nod to fund Palar-Pennaiyar river-linking project. It also thanked the Centre for allocating adequate quantity of coal to Tamil Nadu. The party sought upgradating of Coimbatore and Madurai airports for the industrial development of the regions and setting up of airports in Ramananathapuram and Kanniyakumari. Total prohibition Though Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had promised to close TASMAC shops in phases, the State government was opening new shops against the wishes of the people. The government that claimed to follow in the footsteps of Jayalalithaa should make Tamil Nadu liquor-free. The party also claimed that “unnecessary” restrictions imposed on Vinayaka Chathurthi celebrations amounted to denial of basic rights to Hindus. Party national joint general secretary B.L. Santhosh, State president Tamilisai Soundararajan, State general secretary Kesava Vinayagam, senior leaders L. Ganesan, C.P. Radhakrishnan, Vanathi Srinivasan and R. Srinivasan were among those who participated. Party leader H. Raja was conspicuous by his absence.

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