Singh told Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa that the state's industrialisation would be impacted by the non-availability of electricity if the 2,000 MW Kudankulam nuclear power project was scrapped.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday told Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa that the state's industrialisation would be impacted by the non-availability of electricity if the 2,000 MW Kudankulam nuclear power project was scrapped.
In a letter to Jayalalithaa, the prime minister reiterated that “the government will not compromise on safety in the pursuit of nuclear energy, be it related to technology, regulation, skilled manpower or emergency preparedness”.
“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,” Manmohan Singh added.
He said that of the 2,000 MW to be generated by the two units of the Kudankulam plant, 925 MW would be allocated to Tamil Nadu.
"In case the prospects of availability of this power are suddenly withdrawn, this would impact on the state's development and industrialisation plans," Manmohan Singh said in the letter, which also recalled his assurances to an all-party delegation from Tamil Nadu led by state Finance Minister O Paneerselvam October 7 over safety concerns regarding the Kudankulam plant.
Referring to the technical issues raised by the delegation, the prime minister said the centre will constitute a small group of experts to interact with the representatives of the people of the region to satisfy all their legitimate concerns and involve the state government.
Ahead of the meeting with the delegation, the prime minister had written a letter to Jayalalithaa, seeking her help in getting the power project implemented and assuring her that the government attached great importance to safety with regard to nuclear projects.
In the latest letter, Manmohan Singh said he had directed the Department of Atomic Energy to maintain close liaison with the local people, the local authorities and the state government.
"I look forward to your continuing support for the Kudankulam project," he said.
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