Support n-plant for your own good, PM tells Jaya

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today sought Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s support to restart stalled work at the Kudankulam nuclear project. He emphasised that continued resistance to the project is against the interests of the state. In a letter he wrote to her, the prime minister pointed out that Tamil Nadu is one of the most industrialised state in the country whose power requirements are constantly growing. [caption id=“attachment_105892” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Of the 2,000MW of electricity generated at the Kudankulam plant, Tamil Nadu is expected to receive 925MW. Image courtesy ibnlive”]  [/caption] Of the 2,000MW power to be generated by the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project, Tamil Nadu is expected to receive 925MW. The letter reads, “In case the prospects of availability of this power are suddenly withdrawn this would impact on the state’s development and industrialization plans.” Prime Minister Singh also assured Jayalalithaa that the Centre shares the concerns of the locals and that it will not compromise on the safety of the Rs 13,000 crore plant which was supposed to start electricity generation in a few weeks from now. The Tamil Nadu government, under pressure from the residents of Kudankulam, had passed a resolution last month, urging the Centre to halt work at the site, until the fears of the locals are dispelled, following the suspension of agitation. The second letter from the PM comes in the backdrop of renewed agitation by the locals, which started on Sunday, October 9, 2011, demanding the closure of the plant, citing safety concerns. Over 5,000 locals are staging a relay-hunger-strike in Kudankulam demanding complete closure of the plant. The Prime Minister had earlier written to Jayalalithaa on October 4, 2011, asking her to extend support and cooperation for the project. The following is the text of Prime Minister’s letter to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, J Jayalalithaa: “I write in continuation of my letter of 4 October, 2011 regarding the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant. As requested by you, I met the delegation from Tamil Nadu led by Thiru O. Panneerselvam, Minister of Finance, Government of Tamil Nadu on October 7, 2011 which included some persons from the local area around Kudankulam. The delegation presented a Memorandum signed by you and others. I conveyed to the delegation that: (i) The Central Government attaches the highest importance to ensuring that the use of nuclear energy in the country meets the highest safety standards; (ii) The Government fully shares the concerns of the people of the area and will take all steps to allay their fears; (iii) The Government will not compromise on safety in the pursuit of our nuclear energy programme, be it is in terms of technology, regulation, skilled manpower or emergency preparedness; (iv) Nothing will be done that would threaten the safety or livelihood of any section of society, particularly those living in the vicinity of a project. The delegation raised some technical issues.I conveyed to them that given the nature of the issues raised, it would not be possible to settle them at my meeting with them. I have offered that the Central Government will constitute a small group of experts to interact with the representatives of the people of the region to satisfy all their legitimate concerns. This exercise would suitably involve the Government of Tamil Nadu. Apart from the safety and livelihood aspects, where the Government and the people are on the same side, I also took the opportunity to mention that Tamil Nadu is one of the most industrialized States of the country whose power requirements are growing constantly. Of the 2000 MWe power to be generated by Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project Units 1 and 2, the allocation of power to Tamil Nadu is 925 MWe. In case the prospects of availability of this power are suddenly withdrawn this would impact on the state`s development and industrialization plans. I have separately directed the Department of Atomic Energy to maintain close liaison with the local people, the local authorities and the State Government. I look forward to your continuing support for the Kudankulam Project.”