Kerala minister’s remarks on Cheemeni nuclear plant draw opposition from Cong MP

Thiruvananthapuram/Kasaragod, Jul 15 (PTI) Facing an acute power shortage due to a weak monsoon, Kerala Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph said on Thursday the proposed nuclear power plant in Cheemeni could be considered after consultations with all stakeholders, but Congress MP Rajmohan Unnithan publicly differed, saying the project could not be imposed if locals opposed it. Joseph told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram in the morning that the proposed Cheemeni nuclear power station in Kasaragod can be considered after discussions with all stakeholders as implementing it in a safe manner will be highly beneficial for the state. The minister referred to the nuclear power plant as an alternate source of power generation in the future for the state, which is currently facing shortage of electricity. "It requires a lot of studies and a joint stand by everyone," he said while speaking to reporters in the state capital Following his statement, Unnithan, the Congress MP from Kasaragod, said if the people are opposed to a nuclear power plant at Cheemeni, then it cannot be imposed on them merely because a UDF government is in power. He told reporters in Kasaragod that a nuclear power plant cannot be established in an area without the concurrence of the people there. "If the people of Cheemeni are against a nuclear power plant, then irrespective of who is in power, it will be my responsibility to stand with the public. "Just because UDF is in power, it does not mean that something against public interest can be imposed on them. Such desires will never be successful," he contended. While the Centre has reportedly shown interest in approving a nuclear power plant at Cheemeni, subject to sufficient land availability, the state has not moved ahead with the project due to protests from environmental activists and local residents. PTI HMP ROH