Centre furnishes copies of pacts on Koodankulam project

In line with the Madras High Courtdirection, Centre today furnished copies of agreementspertaining to the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project in TamilNadu between India and erstwhile Soviet Union in 1988 and asupplemental one with Russia a decade later in 1998.

The second one with Russia contained certain variationsin the financial terms.

On June 18, a division bench comprising justices PJothimani and M Doraiswamy, had directed the Centre to furnishit with copies of agreements on the KKNPP. The bench washearing a batch of PILs seeking to stall the project goingcritical at least till necessary safety measures were put inplace and all clearances for the project, including that fromthe state pollution control board (PCB), were obtained.

The copies of the agreements were handed over to thecourt in sealed envelopes by Additional Solicitor General(ASG) M Ravindran.

Ravindran claimed that consent/clearance as requiredunder the law had been obtained for the project and conditionsimposed by the PCB and Environment and Forests Ministry met.

All short term requirements had also been complied withwhile certain long term conditions, which were continuous innature, would have to be taken care of in a phased mannerafter completion of the project, the ASG submitted.

The bench had also directed the PCB to file a counteraffidavit in response to apprehensions of the people aboutthe precautions taken to counter any impact on fishingactivities in the event of a tsunami or Fukushima-likesituation.

Meanwhile, Tirunelveli SP in a counter affidavit said all possible security measures and preventive measures had beentaken to ensure that the situation in the vicinity of theKKNPP remained peaceful.

The counter, in response to a plea seeking action againstprotesters, allegedly disturbing ongoing work at the project,submitted "essential maintenance work is going on in thenuclear plant and workers are going in and coming out forthis purpose".

Admitting that there was some unrest and a stir in thearea by residents of surrounding villages, the counter said"despite the protests, by making proper police deployment allefforts have been taken to ensure there is no breach of peaceor violence".

Police said two cases had been registered at Kudankulampolice station against the protesters and are underinvestigation.

The counter sought dismissal of the petition seeking adirection to police concerned to take action against thoseprotesting against the KKNPP.