Journalism of Courage
Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan today faced demonstrations by locals against the proposed Jaitapur nuclear plant during his visit to the project site,but he dismissed the protests saying locals were being misled by certain political parties and outsiders.
Chavan accused certain political parties and outsiders of conducting false propaganda and misleading the locals about the 9,900 MW power project,coming up in the coastal Ratnagiri district.
He was greeted by slogan-shouting women from Sakhrinate village during his interaction with people. The local outfits like Janhit Seva Samitee from Madban village,and fishermen from Sakrinate village asked the Chief Minister to scrap the project.
Before Chavan arrived,police asked activist Vaishali Patil of Konkan Vinashkari Prakalpa Vidrohi Samiti to leave the place. They also asked those gathered to remove the black badges they were wearing.
Addressing locals at Karel village near here,Chavan said there was no basis to the objections raised by local outfits like Janhit Seva Samiti.
Chavan said there were several nuclear reactors in other coastal regions of the country and marine bio-diversity there had not been harmed.
He said it was not right to think that a Chief Minister would ever bring a project which would harm the local environment and put safety,welfare of people at risk.
Without naming anybody,he alleged foreign powers were not interested in Indias progress and development.
