Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government on Thursday had decided to provide 20 litres of drinking water to its neighbouring state Tamil Nadu, as it is suffering from water crisis. A press release said, “As major water bodies of Chennai have been facing acute water shortage, Kerala government has decided to extend a helping hand.’

Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu chief minister’s office has refused to accept Kerala's proposal and said no need for help at present. 

Kerala had decided to transport drinking water to Tamil Nadu through the train. 

SP Velumani, Tamil Nadu minister of municipal administration, told media that deficiencies in some groundwater conservation projects were identified at various places, including Chennai, and were being attended to. He added that Tamil Nadu was facing the worst-ever drought. 

Water was being supplied through lorries and borewells are being dug wherever water problem prevails, he added.

The Tamil Nadu government has said it was largely dependent on groundwater to meet requirements till the onset of northeast monsoon in October.

Meanwhile, the DMK has decided that it will hold protests across Tamil Nadu on June 22 to urge the government to tackle water crisis in the state. The DMK hit out at the AIADMK government for its "negligence," and "administrative failure and urged the party to address the water shortage.

In a press release, the party headquarters asked its district secretaries to stage protests in all district headquarters with the support of the general public.