The Forum for Development of North Andhra (FDNA) on Tuesday alleged that both the Union and State governments were trying to convert Srikakulam district into a dumping yard by making arrangements for the construction of the country’s biggest atomic power plant with ‘outdated’ technology supplied by American multi-national company Westinghouse Electric Corporation.
The Forum said the U.S. stopped construction of new nuclear plants in 1979 but wanted to transfer its untested technology to India. There was no mechanism for the payment of compensation in case of an accident at the atomic power plant. It has also questioned the deletion of responsibility clauses in the Indo-U.S. agreement over the plant.
Forum general secretary A. Aja Sarma, members V.G.K. Murthy, B.B. Nagesh, Kuna Ramu and others toured villages such as Kovvada, Kotapalem, and Tekkali of Ranasthalam mandal and interacted with the people who have been opposing the atomic plant in their vicinity.
‘Welfare schemes stopped’
Many locals told them that the government had stopped welfare schemes and other benefits, forcing them to surrender their lands for the construction of plant.
The local people also made it clear that they would not surrender their lands even if the government aattempted to lure them with any ‘attractive package’ under the New Land Acquisition Act 2013.
Outdated technology and non-compensation in case of accident cited
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