No compromise in pursuit of nuclear programme, assures PM

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Friday said there would be no compromise on safety in the pursuit of the nuclear programme and decided to set up a group of experts to satisfy the legitimate concerns of those opposed to the Kudankulam atomic power plant.

"Nothing will be done that would threaten the safety or livelihood of any section of society, particularly those living in the vicinity of a project," Singh told an delegation that met him with demands to stop work on the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project.

The first 1000 MWe nuclear power plant, which is set to be commissioned later this year, has run into a series of protests from locals who have voiced concerns over safety in the wake of the Fukushima nuclear accident.

A multi-party delegation from Tamil Nadu that included representatives from AIADMK, Congress, CPI and Samathuva Makkal Katchi and a local committee that led the fast met Singh and expressed concern on safety of the nuclear project.

The delegation, led by Finance Minister O Pannerselvam, had a 55-minute meeting with Singh during which a presentation on safety aspects of the nuclear plant was made by officials.

Singh told the delegation that the government will not compromise on safety in the pursuit of our nuclear energy programme, be it is in terms of technology, regulation, skilled manpower or emergency preparedness.

"The Central Government attaches the highest importance to ensuring that the use of nuclear energy in the country meets the highest safety standards," he said.

"The government fully shares the concerns of the people of the area and will take all steps to allay their fears," Singh told the delegation.