“Any agreement in violation of statute or law is void,” says Bench

The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the Union government to explain whether an agreement with Russia to waive civil liability in case of an accident at the Kudankulam nuclear power plant would have an impact on the exchequer. “Any agreement in violation of the statute or law is void,” said a Bench of Justices K.S. Radhakrishnan and Dipak Misra hearing a batch of petitions filed by anti-nuclear activists for a stay on the commissioning of the plant.

After loading fuel in all 163 fuel assemblies at Unit-I of the Koodankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP), scientists on Tuesday launched the criticality process — jargon for generating energy — which is its main activity.

Mark the symbolism in the choice of dates: while fuel loading began on Ganesh Chaturthi Day, the process of splitting ‘atoms for peace’ commenced on Gandhi Jayanti Day.

Land near slaughter house used as unauthorised dumping yard

Residential areas south of Government Engineering College here has become uninhabitable in the recent past as the rubbish, particularly the plastic waste, being burnt in the unofficial garbage dumping yard of the Corporation near Melapalayam modern slaughter house generates huge volume of smoke and gases almost round-the-clock.

‘What we need is awareness drive and not concern’

Coming out in support of the Union Government, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Friday said the Kudankulam nuclear power plant in Tamil Nadu is safe and there is no need for people living in the surrounding areas to protest. “There is no need for concern on any of the [nuclear] plants… not only Kudankulam but the Kalpakkam atomic power station, which too is located in Tamil Nadu, is also safe. The government has taken several safety measures and would continue to do so. I think there is need for some awareness [drive],” said NDMA Vice-Chairman M. Shashidhar Reddy.

The Government may consider tighter environment and safety norms for the Kudankulam nuclear plant even as it insists that all current conditions are being strictly complied with.

Asked if a safety review was on the cards, given the Supreme Court’s statement on Thursday that the plant could be shut if the safety aspects were not satisfactorily ensured, Union Environment Minister Jayanthi Natarajan said: “I am willing to consider [a re-look] in terms of safety. Right now, there is full compliance of all the conditions we imposed… We are very confident all conditions are being scrupulously followed.”

The safety of the Kudankulam nuclear power plant and storage of nuclear waste is of prime concern that should be addressed by the Union Government, the Supreme Court told the Centre on Thursday.

Hearing petitions relating to the plant, a Bench of Justices K. S. Radhakrishnan and Deepak Misra told Attorney-General G. E. Vahanvati, Solicitor-General Rohinton Nariman and Additional Solicitor-General Mohan Parasaran, “From the first day, we are saying that safety is the most important issue, people’s lives should be protected.”

Kudankulam plant is absolutely safe even without the 17 recommendations of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, says NPCIL

During a hearing in the Supreme Court on Thursday on petitions related to the Kudankulam plant, Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the petitioners, argued that the plant got a vague environmental clearance in 1989 when the site was not decided, no Environment Impact Assessment was done and no public hearing was conducted which was mandatory under law. He said three critical changes were made in the plant.

Kottar diocese Bishop Peter Remugius has urged the State as well as the Centre to take immediate steps to allay the fear among the fisherfolk regarding the commissioning of the nuclear plant at Kudankulam.

When he was contacted about his stand on the power project as the fishermen from the eastern coast had stayed off the sea for the 14th day today, the bishop said it was unfair on the part of the police to resort to lathi charge and bursting of tear gas shells against fishermen at Idinthakarai.

Seeks closure of a sand mining unit belonging to V.V. Minerals, country’s largest exporter of garnet

A public interest litigation petition has been filed in the Madras High Court Bench here seeking a direction to Tirunelveli Collector to close down a sand mining unit of V.V. Minerals, one of the country’s largest exporters of garnet and ilmenite, at Ponnarkulam village in Irukanthurai panchayat and to regulate other such mines situated within 30 kilometres from Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project.

M. Appavu writes to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh

Former MLA of Radhapuram M. Appavu has urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to stop the filling-up of enriched uranium fuel in the first reactor of Kudannkulam Nuclear Power Project until credible arrangements are made to send the nuclear waste to be generated at KKNPP back to Russia and adequate financial allocations are ensured to give compensation to radiation victims in case of nuclear mishaps.