Reiterating that nothing would be done to threaten the safety and security of the people in the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP) zone, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has conveyed to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa that sudden reversal of the power plant would adversely impact the State's development and industrialisation plans.
In a letter addressed to Ms. Jayalalithaa, Dr. Singh sought her support for the project and apprised the Chief Minister of his discussion on October 7 with a delegation led by the Tamil Nadu Finance Minister, O. Panneerselvam, which included some persons from the area around Kudankulam, on their concerns about the project.
This is the second letter of Dr. Singh to Ms. Jayalalithaa this month and comes a day after activists, opposed to the project, decided to convert their 72-hour fast into an indefinite one.
The crux of the Prime Minister's letter is that while the government would leave no stone unturned to address all concerns, the plant was in the larger interests of Tamil Nadu, one of the most industrialised States and whose energy requirements were growing.
Dr. Singh wrote that it was conveyed to the delegation that the Union government would constitute a small group of experts to interact with the representatives of the people of the region to satisfy all their legitimate concerns, and the exercise would suitably involve the government of Tamil Nadu.
In response to some technical issues raised by the team, it was informed that it would not be possible to settle them at his meeting. “Apart from the safety and livelihood aspects, where the government and the people are on the same side, I also took the opportunity to mention that Tamil Nadu is one of the most industrialised States of the country whose power requirements are growing constantly. Of the 2000 MWe power to be generated by Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project Units 1 and 2, the allocation of power to Tamil Nadu is 925 MWe. In case the prospects of availability of this power are suddenly withdrawn, this would impact on the State's development and industrialisation plans.”
Dr. Singh said he had separately directed the Department of Atomic Energy to maintain close liaison with the local and authorities and the State government.
