Mining of uranium in Meghalaya is crucial for India's future nuclear programmes, stated Union Minister of State for Power Jairam Ramesh. Aware about the opposition to uranium by NGOs and other environmental groups in the State, Ramesh told newsmen in Shillong today, "Our nuclear programme will not be able to expand, if uranium deposits in Meghalaya are not extracted,' adding, "Our nuclear plants cannot even carry 50 per cent of its capacity because the uranium deposit in Meghalaya could not be extracted'.