Govt says no Negotiation on Jaitapur

The state government has stated that it would go ahead with the Jaitapur nuclear in Konkan and there would be no negotiations in this matter.

The state government has stated that it would go ahead with the Jaitapur nuclear plant in Konkan and there would be no negotiations in this matter.

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Speaking to the media on the last day of the state legislature's budget session, deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar ridiculed the Shiv Sena for their stringent opposition. “These people oppose so strongly that they want the state or company officials to visit them personally and discuss the matter. However, since this is a central government project, they should not expect any sort of negotiations,” said Pawar.

He recalled the Enron power project where the Sena, after its initial opposition, had approved the project. At that time, Enron officials visited the residence of Sena chief Bal Thackeray.

Pawar appealed to the Sena to keep in mind the progress of the state.

Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan accused the Sena of misleading the local population. “I have done everything to ally the fears of the people. I have visited them there, called them here as well as roped in experts to explain the project,” said Chavan.

While reiterating that Jaitapur was one of the six projects sanctioned by the central government across the country, Chavan said he had replied to the letter written by the wife of the man who died in the police firing on Monday.

Chavan said he even called up Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray after the firing incident requesting his cooperation in the matter.

However, the Sena is adamant. “We will not rest till the project is completely scrapped,” said Ravindra Waikar, Sena legislator.