CPIM protests over Kovvada atomic power plant

The Indian government would be forced to spend upto Rs.42 crore per megawatt on nuclear power, when thermal and other sources are being produced at Rs.10 crore per megawatt. Protesting against the location of Atomic Power Plant at Kovvada in Srikakulam district, the CPIM has alleged that the Kovvada plant would be beneficial only to the U.S. companies which would not pay compensation to the people in case of accidents. “People have understood that the government is trying to make North Andhra a dumping yard with the establishment of thermal and atomic plants. The State government is extending its full support to the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) by diverting the Nagavalli water for the project. `Moreover, it is forcing the district administration to speed up land acquisition, although the people in the villages have opposed their displacement,” according to CPIM district secretary Bhaviri Krishnamurthy. He alleged that the NPCIL officials were crossing their limits while revealing details and announcing so-called packages. People cutting across party lines were keen on participating in Marxist leader Prakash Karat’s meeting to be held in Ambedkar Auditorium on Saturday evening. Karat will attend another meeting in Visakhapatnam on July 17 to explain the party’s stand over the Kovvada project. Admiral L. Ramdas and several top retired officials would be attending the meeting.