Parties must not politicise development projects: Guv

Upset with the controversy surrounding the proposed Jaitapur nuclear power plant, governor K Sankaranarayanan on Thursday expressed his discontent towards the tendency of political parties to make developmental projects a political issue.

Upset with the controversy surrounding the proposed Jaitapur nuclear power plant, governor K Sankaranarayanan on Thursday expressed his discontent towards the tendency of political parties to make developmental projects a political issue.

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"The Opposition and the ruling party should come together on the issue of development projects in the state. There is no reason for making people believe that the projects will exploit them," said Sankaranarayanan, who inaugurated the Golden Maharashtra Exhibition and Seminar organised by the Maharashtra Economic Development council.

The villagers have been protesting against the plant since it was proposed. A man was killed in police firing in the Ratnagiri district on April 17 during a protest organised by the Shiv Sena.

The state government is, however, reluctant to give in to the demand and claimed that the power plant would be established as it would benefit the state

Sankaranarayanan said: "Projects such as special economic zones (SEZ) should not be stopped. The development of Maharashtra has been impressive and it should grow further." The state has approved 143 SEZ till December 31, 2010, and hopes to bring an investment of about Rs1.88 lakh crore.