Bhubaneswar: The ruling BJP and Opposition BJD Friday had a heated exchange of words over the Odisha government’s alleged move to establish a nuclear power plant in the state.
The issue was first raised by the BJD two days ago after representatives of a corporate house met Odisha Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo, who is also in-charge of the Energy department. Though the company officials had a discussion with the DyCM, the officials are yet to reveal details of the discussion.
BJD senior general secretary Lekhashree Samantsinghar said that her party would certainly oppose such a move of the state government and accused it of working for the interest of corporate houses at the cost of public safety and health.
“The establishment of a nuclear power plant in Odisha would pose a serious threat to the health and safety of the people,” the BJD leader said.
She claimed that a private company has proposed to establish a 3,000 MW nuclear power plant in Odisha.
The ruling BJP hit back and accused the Opposition BJD of misleading the people over the term “nuclear”.
“The BJD and Congress are misleading people and misusing the word ‘nuclear’. What harm have nuclear power plants caused to the people in Karnataka, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh?” Odisha BJP spokesperson Anil Biswal asked.
Biswal said that the nuclear power plant would in no way affect the people and their safety.
BJP MLA Santosh Khatua also openly supported the “move” to establish a nuclear power plant in Odisha. He recalled that former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik during his tenure from 1990 to 1995 had attempted to establish a nuclear power plant in Odisha. However, Patnaik could not proceed due to lack of developers, he said.
“The BJD, which was formed in the name of Biju Patnaik, is now opposing the ideals of the legendary leader,” Khatua said.
BJD leaders claimed that there is no point in going for a nuclear power plant in Odisha as the state is already “power plus”. While the state consumes 6,500 MW of electricity daily, Odisha generates around 9,000 MW. Therefore, there is no requirement for a project which could pose danger to public safety, said Samantasinghar.
The BJD leader said there is danger to public life when such sensitive projects go into the hands of private players. Samantsinghar added that nuclear energy is inherently hazardous and carries a significant risk to human life, and claimed that in most countries, nuclear energy remains under government ownership and control, and no private entity is entrusted with its ownership.
“However, under the BJP government, this long-standing principle is being altered by transferring nuclear energy into the hands of private companies. For its own interests, the BJP government is showing complete disregard for the lives and safety of the people of Odisha,” she alleged.
The BJD said it would launch a statewide agitation if the state government did not stop its move.
PTI
