Raj criticizes Sena for opposing Jaitapur nuclear project, slams BJP's stand on Marathi films

Mumbai: MNS chief Raj Thackeray on Tuesday criticised Shiv Sena for opposing the proposed Jaitapur nuclear power project in Maharashtra and slammed the BJP-led government for relaxing the norm for screening of Marathi films in multiplexes. Without naming Shiv Sena, which is critical of the mega project in Konkan region, he said those opposing the nuclear plant should spell out reasons for it. [caption id=“attachment_2097543” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Raj Thackeray. AFP[/caption] “I am not an expert on nuclear power. Those opposing the Jaitapur nuclear power project should be asked reasons behind the opposition. People have forgotten that there is Bhabha Atomic Research Centre in Mumbai. This too has a nuclear reactor,” Thackeray told reporters, when asked to comment on Sena’s opposition to Jaitapur nuclear power plant. The Jaitapur project in Ratnagiri district, where French company Areva is to set up six nuclear reactors with total power generation capacity of about 10,000 MW, is stuck for long following protests and differences over the cost of electricity to be generated. According to Shiv Sena, the energy produced from the project will be beneficial for the whole country, but Maharashtra would be at the maximum risk. Hitting out at the state government for relaxing the time-slot for screening of Marathi movies, Thackeray said the government should have strongly pitched in for Marathi cinema. “The government first allots a prime time slot to Marathi movies and then relaxes it after talking to multiplex owners. Why this sudden change of stand? Multiplex owners should have alloted one screen specifically for Marathi movies. But will the state government ask multiplex owners to follow this? The state government should have taken a firm stand and pitched in for Marathi cinema,” Thackeray said. The BJP-led government earlier this month came out with a directive that multiplexes must screen at least one Marathi film in the prime-time slot of 6 to 9 PM. Later, after discussions with the multiplex owners, the government decided to redefine the prime-time for screening Marathi films and to consider three slots - 12 to 3 PM, 3 to 6 PM and 6 to 9 PM - for the shows. PTI