The Shiv Sena on Monday announced that it will continue to agitate against the proposed nuclear project at Jaitapur. Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray rubbished state industries minister Narayan Rane’s claim that local groups opposing the project had relented. Mr Thackeray said that his party will continue to support the locals opposing the project. On the other hand, Mr Rane alleged that the Shiv Sena was receiving kickbacks from the coal lobby to oppose the project.
“Mr Rane has this habit of making hollow claims. From the information available so far, villagers are still opposed to the project,” Mr Thackeray said at the sidelines of a function in Kandivali.
Citizens’ group Konkan Bachao Samiti and local fishermen also reiterated their opposition saying that they will launch their agitations soon.
A group of leaders from Janhit Seva Samiti, which had been opposed to the project for the last seven years, had announced that they will not protest anymore.
“Protesters from Jaitapur have softened their stand against the project, but the Shiv Sena is opposing it only for the benefit of the coal lobby,” said Mr Rane.
The early works contract was signed between Nuclear Power Corporation and the French company Areva for the initial supply of two evolutionary pressurised reactors (EPRs) of 1,650 MW each in December 2010. However, both the companies have yet to close the final works and commercial contract.