Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Mar 31: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh said here today that Modi Government has undertaken the unique initiative of having brought nuclear installations to North India, whereas earlier it was confined mostly to the western and south-eastern coasts and confined primarily to States like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
In response to a supplementary question in Rajya Sabha, Dr Jitendra Singh said, in the last 60 years ever since Dr Homi Bhabha began the nuclear programme from Mumbai, it was concentrated in certain regions, but in the last few years, attempts have been made to explore the possibility of nuclear installations in other parts and States as well. Citing an example, he said, in Delhi’s neighbouring State of Haryana a nuclear plant was set up at Gorakhpur about two years ago. Once it is ready, he said, it will be capable of producing nuclear energy at a cost effective rate for wider use.
Similarly, Dr Jitendra Singh said, the Department of Atomic Energy and the Atomic Mineral Department are constantly exploring not only the new potential sites for setting up nuclear generation units, but also for possible exploration of Uranium.
Conceding to the contentions of the House that the nuclear power generated went in maximum share to the State where it was produced, Dr Jitendra Singh said, this is as per the Gadgil Formula, which is applicable not only to nuclear energy, but also to power, renewable energy, hydro-electric project generated electricity, etc., wherein 50% of the energy/electricity goes to the State of its origin, 35% to its neighbouring States and 15% to the Central Grid. The possibility of having energy generation plant within the State can certainly prove useful by providing lion’s share to the domestic State, he said.
Responding to the primary question put up by C.M. Ramesh of Telugu Desam Party, Dr Jitendra Singh said, the Kovvada Nuclear Plant in Srikakulam District of Andhra Pradesh, planned in collaboration with USA is envisaged to have six units once the work on it starts. He complimented the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Chandrababu Naidu for his cooperation in having personally followed up the project and cleared the land acquisition case for the same on Saturday last i.e. 25th March.
Responding to apprehensions by some Members of Parliament about media reports regarding the American Company Westinghouse having gone bankrupt, Dr Jitendra Singh said, there is no official intimation so far from the concerned parties, but meanwhile, it has been informally conveyed that the Westinghouse is going in for appeal and the final status will be known only when the other company involved namely Toshiba makes its stand clear.
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