Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh defends clearance given to Jaitapur nuclear power plant

Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh has refused to review the conditional environmental clearance given to Jaitapur nuclear power plant in Maharashtra. Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Mr Ramesh said as far as environment clearance is concerned; environment ministry has done all that is required. Attacking the opponents of the project, Mr Ramesh said there are political parties which have never agreed with the fact that the Prime Minister concluded the most successful civil nuclear agreement, of which Jaitapur is the first one. The minister informed that on November 28, the environment clearance for Jaitapur nuclear power project was accorded. He said the 35 conditions associated with the clearance have also been made public.

Acknowledging that there are some problems associated with land acquisition, Mr Ramesh said these would be looked into by Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan more sensitively.

His comments came in the backdrop of senior BJP leader Yashwant Sinha and CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat demanding a re-look into the conditional environmental clearance given to the nuclear plant.

Meanwhile, a six member Maharashtra Pradesh Congress delegation on Wednesday visited the site of the project. The delegation led by Hussain Dalwai visited Mithgaon and Sakhrinate villages and held discussions with Dr. Milind Desai and Amjad Borkar, the representatives of the Jaitapur Project Affected People. Speaking to reporters after the visit, Mr. Dalwai said that there is a lot of confusion in the minds of the locals regarding the project. Mr. Dalwai added that the delegation has assured the people that their livelihood will not be lost because of the project. He said that the delegation will present its full report to the Chief Minister very soon. Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan said that he will convene a meeting of local legislators, environment experts and NGOs from Mumbai to discuss the pros and cons of the Jaitapur project. Mr. Chavan said he will personally visit the project site and talk to the locals to clear the many misapprehensions they have about the project.