MUMBAI: The state government has approved a hefty compensation package for farmers opposing the Jaitapur nuclear power plant.

The revised package offers affected farmers Rs 22.5 lakh per hectare instead of Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 4 lakh announced earlier. The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) plans to set up a 9,900 MW nuclear power plant at Jaitapur in Ratnagiri district. "The new package is much higher than the existing ready-reckoner rates. The package is lucrative and has been designed to benefit farmers. With the revised financial package, we hope that farmers protesting against the project will withdraw their agitation and part with their land," revenue minister Balasaheb Thorat told TOI.