Maharashtra vows to implement Jaitapur nuclear project

Tuesday April 19, 2011 08:01:40 PM, IANS

Mumbai: Vowing to go ahead with the controversial 9,900-MW Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project in Ratnagiri district, the Maharashtra government Tuesday ordered a probe into Monday's police firing in the area that claimed the life of one protestor.

Home Minister R.R. Patil informed the state assembly that it would also probe whether the agitation against the plant was "politically motivated and a pre-planned conspiracy". He also declared that the government was open to discussing 'contentious issues' and bring a solution.

"An enquiry shall also be conducted to ascertain if the violent protest at the JNPP site and the attacks on Nate Police Station were politically motivated or part of a pre-planned conspiracy," a grim Patil said.

Terming as "unfortunate" the death due to the 'avoidable' police firing of an activist, Tabrez Pehekar, the minister assured compensation to his family members as well as those injured in the police firing.

At the same time, Patil declared that the government would go ahead with the JNPP which is fully financed by the central government.

"The state government is ready to clear all doubts and misunderstanding of the local people over the project. If required, we will provide enhanced compensation," Patil said.

The JNPP issue and the ongoing protests rocked both houses of the state legislature here for the second day Tuesday with the opposition demanding scrapping of the project in view of the protests by the locals.

The JNPP will have six nuclear power reactors of 1,650-MW capacity each which would make it among the biggest such projects in the world. It is situated in Jaitapur village in Ratnagiri district, around 375 km south of Mumbai in the coastal Konkan region of the state.
 

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