How Jayalalithaa gave up opposition to nuclear plant, citing Srinivasan’s report

Recreation-changer: In February 2012, amid intense protests, the federal government introduced the structure of an skilled committee, which included M.R. Srinivasan, former Chairman of the Atomic Power Fee, to enter the plant’s security system. The photograph exhibits Srinivasan
 handing over the report back to Chief Minister 
Jayalalithaa.
| Photograph Credit score: THE HINDU ARCHIVES

In September 2011, amid intense protests by activists and residents of Idinthakarai village in Tirunelveli district, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa wrote to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, urging him to halt the 2000-MW Kudankulam Nuclear Energy Plant Mission till apprehensions in regards to the plant’s security have been addressed.

“The previous couple of days have been very agonising for the folks of Kudankulam as they’re beneath nice apprehension within the wake of the Fukushima (Japan) catastrophe and comparable calamities reported within the press. It is just pure that the folks residing right here concern for the protection of their households and for themselves,” Jayalalithaa stated, accusing the Centre of “abdicating its obligations”.

Narayanasamy deputed to fulfill protesters

A report in The Hindu stated that hours later, Singh known as up Jayalalithaa and knowledgeable her that he was deputing Minister of State in his workplace V. Narayanasamy to fulfill the protesters and allay their apprehensions. She responded that she would ship an an all-party delegation, led by Finance Minister O. Panneerselvam together with representatives of the folks, to the Prime Minister. She urged Singh to ship competent officers to carry discussions with the folks of Kudankulam and persuade them to their satisfaction.

Curiously, only some days earlier, she had stated there was no want for any apprehension in regards to the challenge as enough security measures have been in place. Nevertheless, she modified her thoughts as protests intensified. Moreover, the native our bodies elections have been nearing. Again then, the protests have been led by S.P. Udayakumar, who had organised the villagers beneath the banner of Folks’s Motion In opposition to Nuclear Power (PMANE).

The next month, addressing a marketing campaign assembly in Tirunelveli, Jayalalithaa informed the protesters, “I will probably be one amongst you on this subject.” This was only a day after the Prime Minister had reached out to her looking for assist in implementing the challenge. Stating that the problem had grow to be “emotive and controversial”, she informed journalists that the problem couldn’t be resolved by the State in a single day.

The primary indicators of the Jayalalithaa authorities’s inclination in the direction of altering its stance in opposition to the challenge got here 4 months later. In February 2012, the federal government introduced the structure of an skilled committee on the challenge. A key member of this committee was M.R. Srinivasan, former Chairman of the Atomic Power Fee, a recognized votary of the challenge (He handed on Tuesday, Could 20, 2025). The committee comprised D. Arivuoli, Professor of Physics and Director of Crystal Progress Centre, Anna College; S. Iniyan (convenor), Professor and Director, Institute of Power Research, Anna College; and L.N. Vijayaraghavan, a former Extra Chief Secretary.

Jayalalithaa had earlier knowledgeable the Meeting that the committee would go into the protection system of the proposed plant and the “perceptions and apprehensions” of the native inhabitants. The State authorities would take the following step on the idea of the committee’s report, whereas one other committee of consultants, constituted by the Central authorities, had accomplished its work a number of months earlier.

Srinivasan was a kind of who had all the time felt that the challenge was within the pursuits of Tamil Nadu and the Southern States to fulfill their power necessities. He had publicly backed the challenge, insisting that it was a secure and dependable programme and shared his expectation that Jayalalithaa would lengthen stable assist to it.

Activity completed in three weeks

The committee accomplished its activity inside three weeks. “Let the federal government have a cool view of the report,” Srinivasan stated. Commenting on the protection side, he stated, “I’ve not taken again my phrases on the problem.” When a journalist requested if the committee had any time schedule for the federal government to behave on its report, Srinivasan responded, “We don’t wish to recommend any timetable.”

Concurrently, the federal government invited a PMANE delegation for talks. After the assembly, Mr. Udayakumar stated, “The Chief Minister gave us a affected person listening to. She assured us that she would undergo the paperwork rigorously. She didn’t categorical any opinion.”

Days later in March 2012, accepting the report of the skilled committee, a gathering of the Tamil Nadu Cupboard, chaired by Jayalalithaa, resolved to take steps for the early commissioning of the plant. The Cupboard additionally determined to execute a ₹500-crore bundle of growth initiatives in Kudankulam, particularly for the welfare of the native fishermen. Jayalalithaa, thereafter, issued a press release, calling upon all to cooperate with the federal government. She stated the studies of the 2 committees of consultants and the petitions given by the protesters have been “exhaustively scrutinised”. “There was no risk of the incidence of an earthquake or tsunami, and anyway the plant had the perfect security options,” she declared.

Reduction to merchants and trade

“The choice got here as a aid to a big part of individuals, particularly commerce and trade, who’re bearing the brunt of an influence disaster, however drew hostile feedback from activists and events against nuclear power,” wrote The Hindu.

“In the meantime, 9 individuals, together with two members of the anti-KKNPP wrestle committee S. Sivasubramanian and Okay. Rajalingam, have been arrested close to the challenge website at 12.45 p.m. Although the Kudankulam parish priest, Thatheus Rajan, was additionally current, he was not arrested. Even within the early hours, studies trickled in that the police power was being strengthened at Kudankulam. About 3,000 personnel mobilised for the Sankarankoil by-election have been moved to the world instantly after polling was over on Sunday,” the report stated.

After a spot of greater than six months, officers of the KKNPP have been allowed by the Tirunelveli district administration to enter the challenge website. The remaining is historical past.