TPDK, VHP members stage demonstrations The Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP) will help improve power supply in Tamil Nadu, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions, V. Narayanasamy, said here on Monday. Inaugurating a conference organised by the Southern India Mills Association, he said Tamil Nadu faced 4,000 MW shortage in power resulting in six to seven hours of power cut a day in several parts of the State. Sometimes wind energy helped with about 3,500 MW. However, there was a need to go for alternative sources of energy and nuclear energy. The Kalpakkam plant produced 500 MW. There were about 20 reactors in the country with a total capacity of 4,700 MW. Of these, 19 were in operation in different States. Nearly 99 per cent works were over in the Kudankulam Plant for generation of 1000 MW. The first reactor would be commissioned soon. The textile sector and the MSMEs that were power-oriented were suffering because of power cut. According to a survey by some agencies, over 95 per cent of people in Tamil Nadu wanted the Kudankulam plant. It was three to four per cent of people who protested citing environmental reasons. “We will be able to resolve those issues when the plant starts functioning,” he added. Speaking to presspersons later, he said some agencies had been creating hurdles for the Kudankulam plant. The 15-member committee of scientists and experts constituted by the Prime Minister and the committee formed by the State Government had said that the project was safe. Former President Abdul Kalam also had said the plant had several layers of safety systems. But, protests continued without “rhyme or reason.” Tamil Nadu had chances to get more power than the 440 MW that it was supposed to from the plant, he said and urged those agitating against it to give up the protest. Rajapaksa visit On the proposed visit of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa to Madhya Pradesh, he said that President would be on an official visit to Madhya Pradesh, a BJP-ruled State. He had been invited by the State Government. Sri Lanka was also a SAARC member. For further queries, he said that it was for the External Affairs Minister to react and not him. Tamils’ safety The Centre was keen on the protection and safety of the Tamils in the island nation. The Prime Minister has urged Mr. Rajapaksa to restore the lands and houses and free movement for those in camps in Northern Province besides withdrawal of troops. On threats from coalition partners regarding pulling out of the Government or withdrawal of support, especially in the wake of the demand for rollback in hike of price of diesel, Mr. Narayanasamy said people had given a split verdict and it was a coalition Government. “Therefore, we need to take our partners along,” he added. FDI benefits Defending the permitting of Foreign Direct Investment in multi-brand retail, he said the overseas companies were expected to bring in about 10 billion dollars investment in two to three years. They would purchase goods directly from the farmers and thus farmers would benefit with better price realisation, the foreign companies would also develop cold storage and processing, provide quality products, and the public would get quality products at low prices. States such as Uttarkhand, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Arunachal Pradesh had expressed support to FDI in the retail sector while Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh had opposed it. An Union Public Service Commission examination centre would be set up in Coimbatore soon. “I have spoken to the UPSC chairman in this regard,” he said. TPDK activists removed Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam (TPDK) members were removed by the police when they attempted to stage an agitation in front of a star hotel at Neelambur on Avanashi Road where the Union Minister of State in Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances and Persons V. Narayanasamy Naidu was scheduled to take part in a function. The Union Minister was here to take part in the 5{+t}{+h}CEO conference organised by SIMA. Tirupur Staff Reporter adds: In Tirupur, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad members staged a demonstration here on Monday asking the Central and State governments to ensure production of power from Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project at the earliest. VHP district president G. Natchimuthu said the police should arrest the activists who were instigating people to fight against the plant by spreading wrong information about the nuclear energy and on the safety of the plant. According to the protestors, the commissioning of the plant is the need of the hour to bring down the power deficit being faced in the state.