After the Jaitapur nuclear power project in Maharashtra, it is now the turn of the 2,000-MWe Kudankulam atomic plant in Tamil Nadu to run into serious opposition. As protests by local residents and activists intensified, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Monday urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to order the halting of the project until concerns and fears about the plant’s safety were addressed.
Hours later, Dr. Singh called up Ms. Jayalalithaa and informed her that he was deputing Minister of State in his office V. Narayanasamy to meet the protesters and allay their apprehensions. Over a 100 protesters have been on a fast for the last nine days, voicing fears about the safety of the plant, especially in the light of the Fukushima radiation crisis in Japan in March.
In a letter, the Chief Minister accused the Union government of “abdicating its responsibilities.” She said she would send an all-party delegation, led by Finance Minister O. Panneerselvam along with representatives of the people, to the Prime Minister. She wanted Dr. Singh to send competent authorities to hold discussions with the Kudankulam people and convince them to their satisfaction.
– from thehindu.com