Skip to main content

Farmers decide to involve townspeople of Bhavnagar to oppose N-power plant, tell them: You too will suffer

Panic near Mithi Virdi because of the proposed N-power plant
Counterview Desk
In a move to launch a fresh campaign against the proposed nuclear power plant by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) in the very midst of the lush green area of Mithi Virdi in Bhavnagar district, the anti-nuclear plant organization, Bhavnagar Gram Bachao Samiti, has how worked out a fresh strategy – to involve citizens of Bhavnagar city. In a statement issued in Mithi Vidri, the Samiti – in association with a dozen other voluntary organizations – has said, “If the rural areas of Bhavnagar district will suffer, the townspeople will not be far behind.”
It added, “Currently, Bhavnagar receives most of the vegetables from the rural areas surrounding Mithi Virdi. However, with the Government of India decision, backed by the Gujarat government, to have a nuclear plant in the region, and the decision to kick-start land acquisition process, the townspeople will soon be deprived of the fresh vegetables they receive from the region. This is happening at a time when the country is increasingly getting concerned about the food security issues.”
In an effort to involve the townspeople, the statement stressed, the Samiti has decided to take out a rally against the proposed nuclear plant starting at Mithi Virdi and ending at Bhavnagar city, which is the second biggest town of Saurashtra.
“In our estimate, as many as 152 villages will be affected because of the proposed project. These villages belong to Bhavnagar district’s four different talukas – Talaja, Ghogha, Bhavnagar and Shihor. Already, a study has been presented before the Union environment ministry on how these areas will be adversely affected and why the NPCIL’s claims that the nuclear project would have no impact on the farmers of the region are totally wrong”, the statement, addressed to townspeople, said.
It added, “We strongly believe that the total cost of the nuclear project is Rs 50,000 crore, which is very high. Cost is a major reason why the United States decided against having a nuclear power project in Florida State. Why is the project being promoted in Gujarat is difficult to understand. People will ultimately suffer because of the high cost of the project, leading to high cost of power imposed upon them. The project is being implemented without even looking at the Gujarat Coastal Zone Management Authority’s examination of its repercussions on the environment of the region.”
“In order to oppose the proposed project, the Samiti has decided to launch a farmers’ tractor protest rally against the government on September 23. The rally will start at Mithi Virdi, will move to Koliyak, Pipalya Pul and Budhel. It will reach Bhavnagar and there will be a rally at AV School compound. Thereafter, the farmers of Jaspara, Mithi Virdi, Mandva and Khadarpar – in all 280 of them – will sign affidavits opposing the nuclear power plant. The affidavits will be sent to the Union environment ministry in Delhi as a mark of protest”, the statement said.
Those who signed the statement included several NGOs and individuals. They were Samiti chief Shaktisinh Gohil and Arjanbhai Dabhi, Anu Urja Abhyas Juth Bhavnagar’s Damuben Modi and Bharatbhai Jambucha, Gujarat Unu Urja Mukti Andolan’s Chunibhai Vaidya and Sagar Rabari, and Paryavaran Suraksha Samiti’s Krishnakant, Rohit Prajapati and Swati Desai.

Comments

TRENDING

'Draconian' Kerala health law follows WHO diktat: Govt readies to take harsh measures

By Dr Maya Valecha*  The Governor of Kerala has signed the Kerala Public Health Bill, which essentially reverses the people’s campaign in healthcare services in Kerala for decentralisation. The campaign had led to relinquishing of state powers in 1996, resulting in improvement of health parameters in Kerala. Instead, now, enforcement of law through the exercise of power, fines, etc., and the implementation of protocol during the pandemic, are considered of prime importance.

Reject WHO's 'draconian' amendments on pandemic: Citizens to Union Health Minister

By Our Representative  Several concerned Indian citizens have written to the Union Health Minister to reject amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR) of the World Health Organization (WHO) adopted during the 75th World Health Assembly (WHA75) in May 2022, apprehending this will make the signatories surrender their autonomy to the “unelected, unaccountable and the whimsical WHO in case of any future ‘pandemics’.”

A Hindu alternative to Valentine's Day? 'Shiv-Parvati was first love marriage in Universe'

By Rajiv Shah*   The other day, I was searching on Google a quote on Maha Shivratri which I wanted to send to someone, a confirmed Shiv Bhakt, quite close to me -- with an underlying message to act positively instead of being negative. On top of the search, I chanced upon an article in, imagine!, a Nashik Corporation site which offered me something very unusual. 

Savarkar in Ahmedabad 'declared' two-nation theory in 1937, Jinnah followed 3 years later

By Our Representative One of the top freedom fighters whom BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi revere the most, Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, was also a great supporter of the two nation theory for India, one for Hindus another for Muslims, claims a new expose on the man who is also known to be the original proponent of the concept of Hindutva.

Bihar rural women entrepreneurs witness 50% surge in awareness about renewal energy

By Mignonne Dsouza*  An endline survey conducted under the Bolega Bihar initiative revealed a significant increase in awareness of renewable energy among women, rising from 25% to 76% in Nalanda and Gaya. Renu Kumari, a 34-year-old entrepreneur from Nalanda, Bihar, operates a village eatery that serves as the primary source of income for her family, including her husband and five children. However, a significant portion of her profits was being directed toward covering monthly electricity expenses that usually reach Rs 2,000. 

Swami Vivekananda's views on caste and sexuality were 'painfully' regressive

By Bhaskar Sur* Swami Vivekananda now belongs more to the modern Hindu mythology than reality. It makes a daunting job to discover the real human being who knew unemployment, humiliation of losing a teaching job for 'incompetence', longed in vain for the bliss of a happy conjugal life only to suffer the consequent frustration.

Work with Rajasthan's camel herders: German scientist wins World Cookbook Award 2023

By Rosamma Thomas*  Gourmand World Cookbook Awards are the only awards for international food culture. This year, German scientist  Ilse Kohler Rollefson , founder of Camel Charisma, the first of India’s camel dairies, in Pali district of Rajasthan, won the award for her work with camel herders in Rajasthan, and for preparing for the UN International Year of Camelids, 2024. 

'Very low rung in quality ladder': Critique of ICMR study on 'sudden deaths' post-2021

By Bhaskaran Raman*  Since about mid-2021, a new phenomenon of extreme concern has been observed throughout the world, including India : unexplained sudden deaths of seemingly healthy and active people, especially youngsters. In the recently concluded Navratri garba celebrations, an unprecedented number of young persons succumbed to heart attack deaths. After a long delay, ICMR (Indian Council for Medical Research) has finally has published a case-control study on sudden deaths among Indians of age 18-45.

Why is electricity tariff going up in India? Who is the beneficiary? A random reflection

By Thomas Franco*  Union Ministry of Power has used its power under Section 11 of the Electricity Act, 2003 to force States to import coal which has led to an increase in the cost of electricity production and every consumer is paying a higher tariff. In India, almost everybody from farmers to MSMEs are consumers of electricity.

Union Health Ministry, FSSAI 'fail to respond' to NHRC directive on packaged food

By Our Representative  The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed deep concern over the adverse health effects caused by packaged foods high in salt, sugar, and saturated fats. Recognizing it as a violation of the Right to Life and Right to Health of Indian citizens, the quasi-judicial body called for a response from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regarding its selection of front-of-pack labels aimed at providing consumers with information to make healthier choices.