SHILLONG: Despite prolonged opposition from NGOs and political leaders, the Centre has continued its all-out campaign over the touchy issue of uranium mining in the State, offering hefty development package and strongly maintaining that the uranium project would be carried out in an environment-friendly manner. The Central Government has already dispatched, unsuccessfully though, a host of officials and experts to the State to dispel public fears that the proposed uranium mining project at Mawthabah, West Khasi Hills would cause health hazards to local people and have an adverse effect on the environment. As part of the Union Government's latest effort, Principal Adviser to the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) VP Raja on Sunday arrived at Shillong on a two-day visit to the State to drive home the message that the Centre wanted to take up the uranium project in the nation's interest. Official sources said Mr Raja would meet Chief Minister Dr Donkupar Roy and his Cabinet colleagues and also senior government officials to discuss the issue on Monday. He is expected to hold meetings with political leaders, representatives of prominent NGOs, heads of traditional bodies and others on Tuesday. Earlier, the Central Government had offered a Rs-800 crore compensatory package to facilitate uranium mining in the State. The amount was meant for construction of roads, a community health centre and five PHCs in West Khasi Hills. KSU, which has been most vocal against uranium mining, criticised the Central offer of Rs 800 crore, terming it as "a bribe to appease the people." Last month, in a meeting held in the city, Union Cabinet Secretary KM Chandrashekar and Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) Chairman Anil Kakodkar failed to convince both the All-Party Committee on Uranium Mining and the NGOs in the State to allow the Centre to go ahead with the uranium project. Both Mr Chandrashekar and Mr Kakodkar said they had received mixed response from political leaders and NGOs. They, however, reiterated that the Centre would not force either the State Government or NGOs to take a decision on the uranium mining project.