Thiruvananthapuram 07-12-2011: The cabinet has accepted the Advocate General’s explanation with regard to his statement given to the High Court on the Mullaperiyar issue.

The AG gave a satisfactory explanation in the cabinet that his report to HC was totally safeguarding the interest of the state. His statement doesn’t mention that the there is no connection between the water level and the safety of the dam, as reported by the media.

A detailed affidavit will be filed in High Court before 15^th of this month. A Cabinet Sub Committee with disaster management, water resources, electricity and law ministers as members has been constituted for this purpose. The first meeting of this committee will be held at 3.30 pm today.

Sate government has also decided to approach the Supreme Court seeking to bring down the water level in the dam to 120 ft.

A water field mapping unit will be started at Thekkady, said the CM. Community based training for disaster management will be imparted to local people with the help of Kerala Disaster Management Authority.

Rs 2 crores have been allotted for the State Disaster Mitigation fund, said the CM and added that more fund will be allotted according to need.

For better enforcement of traffic rules, 17 new squads will be formed under the Motor Vehicles Department and for this 56 new posts have been sanctioned. Cabinet has also decided not to grant bar license to 3 star rated hotels.