Jaya renews demand on allocation of entire KNPP power to TN

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Stepping up pressure, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has reminded Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of her demand that the Centre allot the entire 1000 MW to be generated from the first unit of Koodankulam Nuclear Power Plant to the state, and hoped for a 'quick response'.

In a letter to Singh, she recalled her previous communications to him on the issue and pointed out that there was no response to her letters.

Noting that the nuclear fuel loading in the plant's first unit was to happen within the next few days, she requested a quick response from him.

"May I take this opportunity to remind you of my earlier request and expect a quick response? I am sure you will appreciate my state's justified demand in this matter and convey a positive response soon," she said in the letter, a copy of which was circulated to the media.

The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board had recently given its approval for loading the real fuel in the first reactor of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, taking the controversy-hit project a step closer to commissioning.

The commissioning of the first of the 2x1000 MW units of the Indo-Russian project in Tamil Nadu's Tirunelveli district was slated for December last year but protests by local people on grounds of safety concerns delayed it.

Apprehending that anti-social elements and anti-nuclear activists could assemble around the Plant and disturb peace, authorities had on August 11 extended prohibitory orders from two km to a seven km radius till September 10.