Work on Jaitapur nuclear power project to start soon: Maharashtra govt

Mumbai: The ruling BJP on Tuesday informed the Maharashtra Legislative Council that work on the Jaitapur nuclear power project would start soon and differences with its ally Shiv Sena on the issue will be resolved at the earliest.

Speaking during the question hour, MLC Jayant Patil of Peasants and Workers Party (PWP) pointed out that the ruling allies are not on the same page with regard to the Jaitapur nuclear power project and the Sena has also threatened not to let the office of Nuclear Power Corporation operate in Jaitapur.

“On the one hand, there have been massive protests held by the ruling party (Sena) in Jaitapur against this project while its ruling partner (BJP) says it is keen to launch the project. In the Governor’s speech, too, at the start of the budget session, the state government had said that the project will go a long way in ending power problems of the country and the state,” Patil said.

“The Chief Minister (Devendra Fadnavis), too, has said that this project is a responsibility of the state government. Hence, it is of vital importance to know the stand of the government regarding this project, especially when an ally is opposing the project,” he added.

Replying to this, state Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse said the project concerns the whole country and the state government is keen on launching the power project soon.

“The previous government started the process of taking away the land for the project. This power project concerns not only the state but the whole country. The state government is of the view that the project will start soon. The Shiv Sena, as a party, may have differences on this project, but we will sort it out with them. The government will take steps in accordance with the legal framework,” Khadse said.

The Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Dhananjay Munde asked the government to set a timeframe within which the differences would be sorted out.

To this, Khadse assured that it would be done soon.

NCP’s Sunil Tatkare said that Environment Minister Ramdas Kadam had said that his department would not give the required permissions for this project.

“Will the government start the project without taking environment permissions then?” Tatkare asked.

However, Khadse said he was not aware of Kadam’s statement made in the House and that he would first get information on the issue and then comment on it.

PTI