The State unit of the CPI (M) on Thursday urged the government to form an independent expert committee to go into the safety aspects of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP) in the wake of apprehensions expressed by the local people about its safety.

Mr. Ramakrishnan said the party was in full agreement with the Supreme Court’s observation that there could be no compromise on people’s safety. He, however, clarified that the CPI (M) did not support the demand for closing down of the two nuclear reactors in Kudankulam.

“Any agreement in violation of statute or law is void,” says Bench

The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the Union government to explain whether an agreement with Russia to waive civil liability in case of an accident at the Kudankulam nuclear power plant would have an impact on the exchequer. “Any agreement in violation of the statute or law is void,” said a Bench of Justices K.S. Radhakrishnan and Dipak Misra hearing a batch of petitions filed by anti-nuclear activists for a stay on the commissioning of the plant.

US Court Finds It A Long-Term Health Risk, But Kudankulam Storage Doesn’t Worry Madras HC

The Centre would satisfy the Supreme Court on the safety of the Koodankulam Nuclear Power Plant and people living in its vicinity, Union minister V. Narayanasamy said on Sunday.

Environment Minister Jayanthi Natarajan on Friday said that she is willing to review the “safety aspects” of Kudankulam nuclear power plant in Tamil Nadu if needed, or if “asked to do so”.

‘What we need is awareness drive and not concern’

Coming out in support of the Union Government, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Friday said the Kudankulam nuclear power plant in Tamil Nadu is safe and there is no need for people living in the surrounding areas to protest. “There is no need for concern on any of the [nuclear] plants… not only Kudankulam but the Kalpakkam atomic power station, which too is located in Tamil Nadu, is also safe. The government has taken several safety measures and would continue to do so. I think there is need for some awareness [drive],” said NDMA Vice-Chairman M. Shashidhar Reddy.

The Government may consider tighter environment and safety norms for the Kudankulam nuclear plant even as it insists that all current conditions are being strictly complied with.

Asked if a safety review was on the cards, given the Supreme Court’s statement on Thursday that the plant could be shut if the safety aspects were not satisfactorily ensured, Union Environment Minister Jayanthi Natarajan said: “I am willing to consider [a re-look] in terms of safety. Right now, there is full compliance of all the conditions we imposed… We are very confident all conditions are being scrupulously followed.”