nuclear-news

India’s Parliament urged to ensure AREVA is accountable for nuclear liability

urge the Central government to insist that Areva be contractually responsible for any cost overruns above the initially estimated figure,” Raja said. …………… Expressing concern over the possibility of NPCIL renouncing its right of recourse against Areva, Raja demanded the contract, including all matters related to nuclear liability, be placed in the public domain.

Now, Left opposes nuclear plant at Jaitapur, Zee News, 9 Dec 10, New Delhi: The CPI Wednesday questioned the environment clearance granted by the Centre to the nuclear power park proposed to be developed by French company Areva at Jaitapur in Maharashtra.

CPI national secretary D Raja shot off a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh drawing his attention to the mass protests against the project at Jaitapur following concerns over environmental and safety issues.
Recently, the Shiv Sena had declared support to the protests against the Jaitapur nuclear power project.

He said the Ministry of Environment and Forests has accepted that the nuclear power plant might have an adverse impact on the surrounding farm-land and fishing-areas.

“In spite of this, the ministry granted clearance to the project ………
Raja also wanted the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) to hold a public hearing in the affected areas to discuss the safety-concerns of the residents and demanded that a copy of the safety report should also be tabled in Parliament.

Citing the cost of six billion euro for construction of one nuclear reactor, the Rajya Sabha member wondered whether Areva was offering to build reactors in India at half the international price as the deal for two reactors in Jaitpur is pegged at seven billion euros.

“This does not sound plausible to us, and I am worried that there will be severe cost overruns. Moreover, I am concerned that the public sector NPCIL will have to bear this burden,” he said.

“So, I would like to urge the Central government to insist that Areva be contractually responsible for any cost overruns above the initially estimated figure,” Raja said. …………… Expressing concern over the possibility of NPCIL renouncing its right of recourse against Areva, Raja demanded the contract, including all matters related to nuclear liability, be placed in the public domain.

Now, Left opposes nuclear plant at Jaitapur

December 9, 2010 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | India, politics