Tamil Nadu Chief Minster Jayalalithaa on Wednesday announced that the State Cabinet would adopt a resolution seeking suspension of work on the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP), prompting antagonists of the plant to declare withdrawal of their 11-day fast.
Ms. Jayalalithaa, who met representatives of the protesters at the Secretariat for nearly an hour, told them that the Cabinet would meet on Thursday and adopt a resolution calling for the suspension of the project execution until the apprehensions of people were allayed, according to an official release.
Since September 11, as many as 127 persons have been on fast at Idinthakarai, a coastal village about 80 km south of Tirunelveli town. On September 15, the talks between three State Ministers and the protesters failed.
The next day, the Chief Minister, while appealing to antagonists of the project to give up their protest, sought to assure them of its safety. On September 18, Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam founder Vijayakant met the protesters at the site and extended his party's support to the agitation. On Monday, the Chief Minister, in her letter, urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to order the halting of the project until concerns and fears about the plant's safety were addressed. The same day, Dr. Singh spoke to her and informed her that Union Minister of State V. Narayanasamy would be sent to Tamil Nadu. On Tuesday, Mr. Narayanasamy visited Idinthakarai.
Emerging from the meeting with the Chief Minister, S.P. Udhayakumar, one of the coordinators of the struggle committee, told journalists that the fast was being called off in response to Ms. Jayalalithaa's call.
On reaching the protest site, the delegation would apprise the agitators of its discussion with the Chief Minister before formally calling upon them to abandon their fast. He added that in future, the committee's agitations would be focussed against the Central government. “We will work in harmony with them [Ministers of the region — P. Chendur Pandian, S.T. Chellapandian and K.T. Pachamal] and plan our future protest.”
Earlier, Mr. Narayanasamy held a brief meeting with Ms. Jayalalithaa. Later, he told journalists that the Chief Minister conveyed a “certain message” to be communicated to the Prime Minister.
Correction
This article was corrected for factual error
It is a totally foolish idea to annul the project. Tamilnadu people hate power-cuts but they don't want nuclear reactors either. It is not going to work. Nuclear reactors in modern technology is much safer and economical to run.
The politicians in Tamilnadu are putting economic progress in Tamilnadu and the region in India back by about 30 years. The factories in Tamilnadu are reeling without power. All the industries will migrate to other progressive states such as Gujarat and even Bihar. When is Tamilnadu going to get additional 2000MW power? Wait for another 35 years? That is not being discussed at all!
We should look into the safety measures, but we are trying to close this project which is absolutely foolishness. We spent crore and crores on this (ofcourse human safety is important than money). But we need to look into the alternative
That the Nuclear Power plant at Kudankulam has been installed at a cost of thousands of crores of rupees and has already reached the stage of commissioning, this is the best what any intelligent Chief Minister can do at the moment.It is clear that Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has played her cards very carefully and tactfully with the protesters as well as the Central government. It should also be understood that neither the Chief Minister nor the Prime Minister are the technically competent persons to allay the fears of the concerned but it could be done only by the real nuclear scientists and other experts in the field. While most of the developed nations have taken a decision to give up nuclear power for obvious reasons, will it not be ideal for us who are, to a very great extent novice in nuclear technology to do away with nuclear power despite the amount of money sunk in Kudankulam? After all when compared to the amount swidled by our politicos in 2G scam,this is in minuscule!
It will be a stupid thing to do. This is not the first time we are getting a nuclear plant. Whoever is advocating this idea, please provide some proof of your claim.
Not the suspension...Totally dismiss this devilish project.
Some 15 years ago, similar opposition was noticed to Dabhol power project, in Maharashtra. Such a stand by any State government would oush up the cost of the project. Thus, when it comes to power projects (nuclear or others), it is now clear that initiatives taken by the Central government or any of its public sector undertakings in setting up new projects may face opposition on political and environmental grounds and come to a naught. There is a lesson for the Central government: consider only such new projects as are demanded by people and the respective State government. Here again there is a possibility of the project being opposed if there is a change of ruling party in the State after the initiative steps are taken.
Is this a pre planned activity?Tie up between TN government and the protestors.My dad has been working in IGCAR Kalpakkam and for 25 years of my life I have been brought up there. We never had a power failure anytime and settinng up the township had brought lots of business to the local people.Now the locals enjoy good bus facility,market ,education etc....Wake up people and think...Dont let politics come into your way...
It is a foolish decision and there is no "VISION" exist with TN state government, except some politics behind this decision. Is there any rationale for this decision, when the country (Japan) in which incident happened is safely operating number nuclear reactors with improved safety aspects, severe accident management programs and controls that are in place. This type of foolish actions will spoil the image of Indian nuclear industry and its engineering expertise.
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