Jaitapur project loses its biggest opposition
In a stunning development, the Janhit Seva Samiti (JSS) — an umbrella organisation that was opposing the 9,9000-MW nuclear project in Jaitapur — has reversed its position and said that it would not oppose the project anymore. This volte-face is being attributed to a rift between the JSS and the Shiv Sena.
A delegation led by Pravin Gavankar of JSS met industries minister Narayan Rane on Friday at Ratnagiri, where they dropped their opposition to the project and instead presented 25 demands related to relief and resettlement to be considered by the government. Some of the demands include withdrawing all police cases against the villagers who protested the project, and the setting up of a cell in the district to alleviate the problems of the project affected people. However, many in Jaitapur have said that they have not withdrawn their opposition to the project. Premanand Tiwarkar, secretary of Madban Jaitapur Panchkroshi Sangharsh Samitee (MJPSS) alleged, “Gavankar has betrayed all of us. He met the industries minister without accounting of our trust. He was not the protesters’ representative, we will never accept his decision. (sic)” Another official of MJPSS, Shailesh Waghdare said, “We will continue our protest till the nuclear project is terminated.” Mr Tiwarkar said that they met environment
minister Sanjay Devtale in the Monsoon Session of the state Assembly and he assured them that he would take a review of the environmental issues.
Meanwhile, Mr Rane welcomed Mr Gavankar’s changed stance and assured him that he would push for their demands aggressively in the state government. “The have very basic demands which can be sorted out at the chief minister’s level. I told them I would organise a joint meeting of the protesters and government official within the next few days,” he said. Mr Gavankar was not available for comment.
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