Makes clear that 17 safety measures are additional, not a condition precedent
Attorney General G.E. Vahanvati asserted in the Supreme Court on Tuesday that the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant was absolutely safe and all apprehensions on safety of the plant were completely baseless.
Making this submission before a Bench of Justices K.S. Radhakrishnan and Dipak Misra, Mr. Vahanvati also made it clear that it was not a condition precedent that all the 17 safety measures to be implemented before the plant was put into operation.
Appearing for the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), he dispelled the impression sought to be made by the petitioners that the plant was not safe without the implementation of the safety measures. He drew the attention of the court as to how the safety aspects were considered and reviewed by the Advisory committee at every stage and clearance was given for loading the fuel. He said the 17 measures were additional safety measures needed to be put in place in phased manner to ensure that the plant was fully safe and not a condition precedent.
Referring to the contention of the petitioners that the Task Force appointed by the government had recommended the 17 safety measures, the AG said it was appointed by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL).
Sequence of events
Tracing the sequence of events from May this year, the AG explained as to how at every stage various committees had considered the reports and reviewed safety measures both short term and long term. It was never the recommendation that all these measures should be complied with before the commencement of the operation of the plant.
He said the NPCIL was asked to improve and give an update at every stage. The AERB gave clearance for fuel loading on September 18 and had sought a report. This would be further reviewed for the next stage viz. First Approach to Criticality (FAC), he said and added that the alarming situation projected by the petitioners was completely wrong.
Safety measures
When Justice Radhakrishan drew the AG’s attention to an affidavit filed on behalf AERB before Madras High Court that the safety measures would be implemented before any further clearance, the AG said it was never said that the implementation of the 17 safety measures was a condition precedent.
He said, “At every stage, the NPCIL would have to seek the approval of the AERB before proceeding to the next step.”
This was however disputed by Counsel Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the petitioners. Arguments will continue on Wednesday.
When Justice Radhakrishan drew the AG’s attention to an affidavit filed on behalf AERB before Madras High Court that the safety measures would be implemented before any further clearance, the AG said it was never said that the implementation of the 17 safety measures was a condition precedent.
He said the 17 measures were additional safety measures needed to be put in place in phased manner to ensure that the plant was fully safe and not a condition precedent.
The Congress Govt. attitude towards the safety of poor people is exposed very clearly. They want only money not safety.
What are the 17 safety measures? Congress govt contended that With that 17 safety measures only the plant is FULLY SAFE. That means without the implementation of the 17 safety measures, the plant is NOT fully safe.
Now Dr Kalam says nuclear energy is clean energy. He did NOT emphasise that nuclear energy as SAFE.
Poor people should not be cheated by Govt.
SC asks govt to clarify on mechanism to handle nuclear wastes at Kudankulam plant
Oct 17, 9:11 PM
The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the government what mechanism it will put in place to handle nuclear waste at the Kudankulam power plant once it becomes operational. A bench of justices K S Radhakrishanan and Deepak Misra asked the Centre and the Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCL), which operates the plant, to provide information how they intend to transport the nuclear waste out of the plant and store it in save place without causing damage to environment.
It said that issues pertaining to heath and environment are as important as safety of the plant and asked the government and corporation to reply on safety measures to be taken by them while transporting and storing nuclear waste.
Solicitor General Rohinton Nariman, appearing for the Corporation, replied that he would file an affidavit in which all the queries would be answered.
People will judge the views of THE HINDU
Then why are the Russians refusing to sign any liability? THEY KNOW that a nuclear
power has several archilles heels. First HUMAN ERROR which caused two of the biggest
accidents in the world and destroyed the economies of Russia and the U.S. and
secondly UNPREDICTABLE NATURAL DISASTERS which destroyed the economy of JAPAN
It would be downright foolish to start this plant as the costs of running it are so high
that this will disable our economy and secondly nuclear plants have to release radiation
on a regular basis as pressure builds up in the reactor. These radio active particles
released lie around the surrounding area and accumulate in number over the years and
as they radiate heat for hundreds of years, this radio active heat dehydrates the
atmosphere, sucks up moisture from the air and results in severe droughts which will
manifest themselves after a period of 10 to 20 years which is what is happening now in
the U.S. France and England. Tirunelveli is already a drought zone
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