Asserting that opposition to the Kudankulam nuclear power plant would be overcome soon, union minister in PMO V. Narayanasamy said the Centre was closely “monitoring” A few NGOs that have been fuelling the protests against KKNPP.
“The government had already frozen the bank accounts of six NGOs after enquiry into their alleged involvement in agitations against the plant and is closely monitoring the activities of few other NGOs,” he said.
Talking to reporters here on Sunday the minister said though there were about 19 nuclear reactors across India, nowhere in the country had vociferous protests of this nature stalled the commissioning of the plant. “Despite this, we will overcome the opposition soon…those NGOs supporting the agitation are funded by foreign agencies and the union home ministry had already frozen the bank accounts of six NGOs,” he said. Depending upon the outcome of the enquiry, appropriate action would be initiated, Mr Narayanasamy added.
It may be recalled that the Prime Minister had in an interview to international journal Science had said that the atomic energy programme had run into difficulties because NGOs, mostly based in the US, did not appreciate India’s need to increase energy supply.
On the Sethusamudram ship canal project, the minister exuded confidence that the project would take off.