September 29, 2011

National Green Tribunal issues notices to NPCIL and MoEF on Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project Environmental Clearance

Janahit Seva Samiti, Madban
Reg. No.: Maharashtra (3456) / Ratnagiri, Dt. 10.08.2007
Reg. No.: F 3444
At Post: Madban, Tal.: Rajapur, Dist.: Ratnagiri
President: Shri. Pravin Gavankar; Tel.: 02353-205030, Cell: 09422050958 / 08007112745
General Secretary: Shri. Shaymsundar Narvekar; Tel: 022-24103162, Cell: 09323162433

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September 29, 2011

Press Release

The environmental clearance granted to the Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project has been challenged before the National Green Tribunal (NGT). The Chairperson’s bench of NGT, comprising of Justice LS Panta (Chair) and Shri Vijai Sharma (Expert Member) is hearing the case. The bench later issued notices to respondents namely, Union of India, through the secretary MOEF, Maharashtra Pollution Control Board and the project proponent, Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited.

The case is filled by Janahit Seva Samiti, Madban, the local organization, representing the affected villagers spearheading the peaceful agitation and Dr. Milind Desai, a resident of Mithgavane village. The appeal was filed on 12th of September and was listed for hearing on 27th September. Mr. Ritwick Dutta and Rahul Choudhary are representing appellants before the National Green Tribunal.

Pointing out the anomalies in the process by which environmental clearance was granted, Dr. Milind Desai said, “After preparing the EIA report, the environmental clearance process has two further components: a public consultation and an appraisal by a committee of experts. Both these processes were heavily biased towards the nuclear establishment. Concerns raised by the public were glibly dismissed, responded to with simplistic answers that insult the intelligence of those posing the questions, or sometimes simply ignored.”

Mr.Ritwick Dutta said, “We took on this case on behalf of the appellants because there are lots of deviations from legally binding guidelines set by Ministry of Environment and Forests. The Jaitapur EIA either simply ignores or glosses over many of these.” “As such a legal challenge becomes imperative for the environmental clearance, added Mr. Dutta.

Mr. Pravin Gavankar, President of Janahit Seva Samiti said, “The content of the EIA report is erroneous, unscientific and misleading. It might sound trivial, but it does tell about the amount of due diligence exercised and effort put in to write the report.”