Ajit Pawar rules out changes in Jaitapur project

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has ruled out any revisions in the Jaitapur nuclear power project.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has ruled out any revisions in the Jaitapur nuclear power project.

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Pawar on Monday expressed his discontent over Shiv Sena’s opposition to the Jaitapur project in Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra. The project agreement, which was signed on December 6, is a newly proposed 9,900 MW power plant of the Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) at Madban village of Ratnagiri.

“ What they are doing is not right. This might lead to losing the project to another state which will be unfortunate,” said Pawar talking to reporters at the Mantralaya on Monday.

He added that the project has brought in investment of Rs 90,000 crore into the state that is almost 3 times the state budget plan.

Pawar was referring to the support Sena has been extending to the villagers who are opposing the plant on the argument that it will cause severe environmental degradation in the Konkan region. A few other have been complaining of the inadequate compensation,

“ I do not agree with the argument that the project is environmentally unsafe for the region. But I do agree that the compensation offered is less and we are trying to get it amended to suit villagers,” Pawar said.

On Sunday villagers met Sena executive president, Uddhav Thackeray where he promised them support. Thackeray in his statement said the Sena was not against development but they will oppose projects that are forced upon the people of a region. Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan has already declared that he will visit Jaitapur and talk to the locals to address their grievances.