Chennai: Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa on Saturdayrequested the Central Government to expedite the commercial operation of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) Unit-II. In her speech, which was read out by O.Panneerselvam, finance minister, at the 26th meeting of the Southern Zonal Council at Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, she said this would ensure that the state got 563 MW from the plant.
The Kudankulam Unit-II is undergoing final stages of commissioning and awaiting approval from the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) for full commercial production. The state has been allotted 563 MW from the total of production of 1,000 MW in Unit-I in the Kudankulam Plant, which started commercial operations on December 31, 2014. However, it has been shut down for maintenance from June 24 this year. The Nuclear Power Corporation of India has not indicated when power production will resume in Unit-1.
The Chief Minister urged the Central Government to direct the Nuclear Power Corporation of India to recommence production in Kudankulam Unit early to meet the Tamil Nadu grid demand.
The CRZ regulations have been hampering setting up of fisheries-related infrastructural facilities, including fishing harbours and fish landing centres, in the State. This has affected the livelihood of fishermen. Hence, all activities that are directly related to development and livelihood of fishermen may be exempted from Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) restrictions.
Jayalalithaa has also asked the Central Government to sanction the Comprehensive Special Package of Rs 1,520 crore for deep sea fishing and infrastructure. She said farm products from the state are safe and hence unnecessary alarm about pesticide residue need not be raised as this causes undue hardship to farmers and also sows doubts in the minds of consumers.
She also urged the Union ministry of health to come up with a suitable mechanism to enable real time sharing of information on communicable diseases among the Southern States and Union Territories. The state is ready to enter into an MoU with the ministry of railways to promote new railway projects in the state based on a mutually agreed priority.
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