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Indian People's Tribunal flays Jaitapur nod

Indian People's Tribunal wants a fresh and exhaustive environment assessment for nuclear plant .

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A hearing held by the Indian People's Tribunal (IPT) about the proposed 9,900 MW Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project (JNPP) in Konkan region has noted that the environmental clearance given to the project is based on an inadequate Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) report.

The tribunal has recommended that a new, exhaustive EIA should be prepared.

A distinguished panel of three members, comprising  JC Kala (former Chairman National Environment Appellate Authority, Director General Forests and Secretary to Government of India), Dr SM Paranjape (a physicist of repute) and Dr Shanta Ranade (a freedom fighter, President Maharashtra Chapter of National Federation for Indian Women) heard the views expressed by affected people, environmentalists, scientists and experts in the field and anti-nuclear power activists who had come from all over the country, from September 17 to 19.

"Environmental Clearance has been accorded based on inadequate EIA report as it failed to assess correctly the existing ecology in the environs of the project and the impact thereon, as exemplified by outdated data, methodology; lack of modelling; various alternatives; mitigation measures during failures; decommissioning - impacts and costs; and impacts on various eco-systems including socio-economic aspects," noted the IPT.

The IPT has also asked the Ministry of Environment and Science (MoEF) to prepare a news and exhaustive EIA, duly involving the people of the area, especially the women, under its direct supervision. Pradip Indulkar of Konkan Vinashkari Prakalp Virodhi Samiti mentioned that the hearing was important since in a democracy it is extremely important for people to voice their dissent against certain things and this was the podium for that.

Referring to the committee formed by the former minister of MoEF, which is headed by Director of BNHS and comprising College of Fisheries, Ratnagiri; Central Institute of Fisheries, Mumbai and College of Forestry, Konkan Agriculture University, Dapoli; the IPT has asked the MoEF to consider and stop the project work in the area, till the time the committee submits its report.

It was noted in the hearing that there is no clarity on the disposal of spent fuel in JNPP.

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