The CPI(M), the Human Rights Forum, and several non-governmental organisations on Wednesday opposed the proposed visit of the team from Westinghouse Electric Corporation to India to discuss with the government the construction of the atomic power plant at Kovvada in Ranasthalam mandal of the district.
Leaders of the CPI(M) and CITU organised a meeting at the Seven Road Junction here and raised slogans such as ‘go back Westinghouse’ to draw the attention of the people. CPI(M) leader Ch. Narasinga Rao and CITU leader D. Govinda Rao, who formally launched a signature campaign against the team’s visit, urged the TDP government to spell out its stand on the nuclear power plant issue.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had opposed the project when he was in the Opposition, but changed his stand after coming to power in the State, they alleged. They also sought to know from Minister for Energy K. Kala Venkata Rao whether atomic power was needed when solar power was available for ₹2.55 per unit.
CPI(M) leaders Chowdary Tejeswara Rao and Bhaviri Krishnamurthy alleged that the government had acquired land in Kovvada and surrounding villages even before obtaining permission from the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), which was supposed give site clearance certificate.
HRF State vice-president K.V. Jagannatha Rao and Sanjeevini Paryavarana Parirakshana Sangham founder K. Ramam said they would support the Left parties in the phase-wise agitations proposed against the atomic power plant.
“Consent of the property owners alone is not sufficient as the project would impact the lives of thousands of people living between Chatrapur in Odisha and Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh should an emergency airse,” they said.
They urged people to extend their support to the protests being planned on the issue.
