Western Ghats task force on Wednesady alleged that radiation from Kaiga nuclear power plant has affected surrounding villages, leading to an alarming increase in the number of cancer and miscarriage cases.
Western Ghats Task Force chairman Ananth Hegde Ashisar on Wednesady alleged that radiation from Kaiga nuclear power plant has affected surrounding villages, leading to an alarming increase in the number of cancer and miscarriage cases.
He has written to chief minister BS Yeddyurappa and demanded to take up the issue with the Centre and ensure transparency in the functioning of Kaiga, with open public scrutiny on safety standards. He also demanded that a public committee be set up to look into the safety aspects of the plant.
Though officials claim that they have taken enough precautionary measures and that radiation level is much below the prescribed level by the international agencies, practically radiation is high in and around 20 km of the plant.
In the gram panchayat limits covering Bare, Malavalli, Vajrahalli and Kalache villages, the radiation level is high. There is an increase in the number of cancer patients. About a decade ago, the number was four. Now, it has increased to 40. More than 10,000people are suffering because of radiation, he added.
“We have been opposing the setting up of Kaiga nuclear plant since the beginning in 1985. But the government has not paid heed to us. Now it is time to raise our voices again. Some time back, tritium was mixed in drinking water. But the truth of the matter is still not known. Power plant authorities are not giving the correct picture of what is happening inside,” alleged Ananth Hegde.
He further added that the officials have kept the recent fire break-out under the wraps. “On April 17, we conducted a health camp in which we discovered that cancer patients are more in villages near Kaiga plant. The state health department has planned to conduct a special survey in the area. People are scared after the Japan incident,” he added.
A massive rally has been organised on April 23 to show the agitation on the Kaiga Nuclear power plant. It will be a people’s movement, and a public meeting will be held in which resolutions will be passed, he said. He demanded nuclear plant authorities to give assurance on the security and safety of the people, as people of North Kannada are living under fear of radiation.
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