Jaitapur project: Ajit Pawar says no question of location change

Pawar also spoke about the proposed revised relief package for the project-affected people (PAPs). He said the company would provide Rs 500 as lifetime monthly pension to senior citizens and destitutes over and above benefits from various government schemes. He accepted the Opposition’s claim that a majority of PAPs who had accepted the old relief package were residents of Mumbai. He said 177 of the 2,133 PAPs had accepted the old compensation package,ranging from Rs 46,000 to Rs 1 lakh.

Pawar said unskilled PAPs would be trained within one year of the project commencement to enable them to secure jobs and ensure that jobs are provided to them within two years. He said minor works on the project would be given to locals and Self-Help Groups from the region.

He urged political parties not to politicise the situation in Jaitapur as the project was “beneficial” to the state and sufficient measures were being taken to ensure safety. “We will crush any opposition to the project while we are convinced that it is beneficial for the state and its future. We are still ready to discuss and clear misconceptions regarding the project,” said Pawar.