The home minister said that the Centre was probing funds received by anti-Kudankulam nuclear project protesters.
Strongly batting for early commissioning of Kudankulam nuclear power project, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on Saturday said the Centre was probing the flow of funds allegedly received by the anti-project activists and would take strong action if the money came in a "wrong way".
"Investigation is going on to know how the protestors are getting funds. If there is anything wrong, if the money came in a wrong way, if it was used for wrong purpose and if the accounts were not properly maintained, certainly action will be taken," he told a well-attended public meeting to drum up support for the project.
Chidambaram made no reference to the Delhi court verdict giving a clean chit to him on the 2G spectrum issue.
Pointing out that the Indo-Russian atomic power project was started in 1988 and suddenly some people protested against the project, Chidambaram said "who is this SP Udhayakuma (convener of the People's Movement against Nuclear Energy spearheading the stir against the project)"?
He said Rs13,000 crore has been invested in the project and it was people's money. After completion of more than 95 per cent of the project work, some people are protesting against the project after 22 years, he said.
Referring to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa's announcement about constituting an expert panel to look into "fears and concerns" of the locals, Chidambaram "welcomed" it and hoped the panel would submit its report fast to enable speedy commissioning of the project.
Chidambaram said it was the responsibility of the Centre and the state to allay the fears of the people and the issue should be resolved through talks.
"The issue could not be resolved despite four rounds of talks between the expert committee appointed by the Centre and state government and efforts made by former President A P J Abdul Kalam", he said.
Appreciating the efforts of Congressmen in showing interest for the development of Tamil Nadu, he said the partymen should be in the forefront to raise their voice and agitate for the development of the state.
Emphasising the importance of nuclear power, he said the people of Tamil Nadu should realise that for the development of a nation, nuclear power is a must.
Regretting that the country was not able to produce 60,000 MW power in the five-year plan ending March this year, he said China overtook India in the field by generating one lakh MW per annum.
Union Ministers GK Vasan, V Narayanasamy, PCC President Gnanadesikan and several other leaders spoke on the occasion.
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