Punjab News Ramesh for 'pause' in jaitapur nuclear plant project

Lily

B.R
Staff member
Ludhiana April 24:

There should be a "pause" in the Jaitapur nuclear project, slated to come up in Maharashtra's Ratnagiri district, till formulation of a transparent atomic policy in the country, Environment and Forests Minister Jairam Ramesh said.

"We should have a transparent atomic policy. It should not be kept secret. Jaitapur nuclear plant can be put on hold till the government sorts out other various issues related to this project," Ramesh told reporters here. "We cannot abandon the project. But I am neither pleading reversal or fast progression as a 'pause' is the best option till a transparent nuclear policy is formulated," he said, adding he has already conveyed his views on this issue to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Reacting to the death of one man in police firing on protesters demonstrating against the nuclear plant, Ramesh said: "In a democratic set-up, issues should be solved amicably." Ramesh had come here Saturday to lay the foundation stone of a bio-remediation project for cleaning of the Budha Nulla, a Rs.16 crore project fully funded by his ministry for environment.

"This is the first and the largest project of the ministry across the country where bacteria are used for the cleaning of water-bodies. There are five places across the country where such bio-remediation projects have been launched. Effects of the project will be seen within one year," said Ramesh, who was also accompanied by Ludhiana MP Manish Tewari, who is also the national spokesperson of Congress. Ramesh said during the last one year the central government has sanctioned Rs.316 crore for environment-related projects in Punjab.

 
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