The state wing of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi revert the decision of environmental clearance to the Jaitapur nuclear power project in Maharashtra on the same grounds that he reverted the environmental impact assessment (EIA) report for the Mithivirdi nuclear power project in Gujarat. Prof Ashok Dhawale, state secretary of CPI (M), and Vivek Monteiro, secretary of Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), welcomed the decision of the Ministry of Environment and Forests’ Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) to return the application of the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) for environmental clearance in respect of the Mithivirdi project. The EAC found the current EIA report lacking in clarity on several issues, including radioactivity and land acquisition. Prof Dhawale said, “The grounds on which the EIA report for the nuclear power project in Mithivirdi had been reverted, also apply with equal force to the nuclear power project at Jaitapur.” “One of the reasons for reverting the EIA in Gujarat is the fact that the project does not have a site clearance from the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board. Like the Gujarat project, the Jaitapur project also does not have a site clearance from the AERB as of date,” he added. While Mr Monteiro said, “Another objection taken by the EAC in respect of the Gujarat project is that the EIA does not specify the location of near surface disposal of radioactive wastes. A similar lacuna is present in the Jaitapur project.” The EAC’s decision in respect of the Mithivirdi project was sufficient reason for reviewing the environmental clearance given by the environment ministry in respect of the Jaitapur project, as the Jaitapur EIA had the same serious deficiencies as the Mithivirdi EIA. Prof Dhawale further said, “Since the nuclear power portfolio is directly under the control of the Prime Minister, the CPI (M) Maharashtra state committee calls upon the Prime Minister to initiate this necessary review in respect of the Jaitapur project.”