Govt to address issues raised by protestors over Jaitapur issue

With a view to bring a consensus on the proposed Jaitapur nuclear plant, the Union government has promised to take the civil rights groups, NGOs and activists into confidence.

Union minister of state for science, technology and earth sciences, Ashwani Kumar said, “It will be our attempt to engage all the civil society groups, NGOs and people, who have raised concerns (over the plant), so that their issues are addressed."

Talking to reporters in Goa today, Kumar said that Maharashtra government and the Centre would do their best to address the issues raised by the protestors.

He said that the Centre is going ahead with the Jaitapur plant with all the additional safeguards necessary in the wake of the nuclear crisis in Japan after the earthquake.

Kumar stated that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has also reviewed the additional security measures put in place for the plant. “No stone would be left unturned to ensure that people’s lives are not risked,” the minister said.

On the apprehensions raised over the safety of Kaiga nuclear plant in Karnataka, the minister said, “As far as Kaiga plant is concerned, it’s very safe.”

People from the Konkan region are protesting against the Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project at Madban village of Ratnagiri district in Maharashtra.