Communist Party of India (Marxist) is contemplating launching a nation -wide debate over the proposed atomic power plant at Kovvada in the district and raise the issue in ensuing Parliament session.
Former general secretary of CPI (M) and party Polit Bureau member Prakash Karat will interact with villagers of Kovvada, Kotapalem and Tekkali apart from participating in a public meeting in Srikakulam on July 16.
The party cadre is pinning hopes on his tour as they would be able to make people understand ill-effects of locating a nuclear power plant in the region. The party is highlighting the economic loss to the nation with the Kovvada plant where the government is reportedly spending around Rs.2.8 lakh crore for the establishment of the atomic power project. The party says the private sector will not show interest in investing in atomic power since it is not viable for them. The party feared that the public sector banks will be forced to fund the project and ultimately it would lead to huge losses for the banks.
Giving the details of Mr. Karat’s tour, CPI(M) Srikakulam wing secretary Bhaviri Krishnamurthy and CITU district president M.Tirupati Rao said the nuclear power project would be detrimental to the India and benefit United States and its companies like Westinghouse. They alleged that the Westinghouse Electric Corporation failed to deliver the reactors previously and its outdated technology would be dumped in Srikakulam.
“Both Srikakulam and Vizianagaram towns will be affected in case of any accident in the nuclear reactors since they are very close to Kovvada village. We fear that the impact would be felt up to Kakinada in AP and Chatrapur in Odisha,” Mr.Krishnamurthy said.
“We will also highlight establishment of risky and polluted industries in North Andhra region during Mr. Prakash Karat’s tour. The party will also try to create awareness over the change of TDP’s stand over the nuclear power project. Mr.Chandrababu Naidu opposed the project when he was in Opposition but extended full support after assuming power in 2014,” he added.
