Don’t spoil health of coastal Karnataka people by expanding Kaiga plant: Seer tells PM Modi

Agencies

October 4, 2019

Sirsi, Oct 4: Gangadharendra Saraswati swamiji of Swarnavalli Mutt has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking him to drop the proposed expansion of Kaiga atomic power plant and thereby prevent spread of deceases in coastal Karnataka.

Kaiga Generating Station is a nuclear power generating station situated at Kaiga, near the river Kali, in coastal district of Uttar Kannada. The plant has been in operation since March 2000 and is operated by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India.

In his letter, the seer, also the honorary president of Bedti-Aghanashini Valley Conservation Committee, stated: It is shocking to know that the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, and the National Wildlife Board have given their approval for adding units 5 and 6 to the Kaiga plant. The Centre should annul the approvals.

Many experts, in their reports over the years, have expressed grave concern about the deterioration of health of locals in the vicinity of Kaiga atomic power plant. Cancer incidence in the region is high. The Kaiga units utilise Kali river water and discharge the water with high amounts of harmful radiation into the river. The river which drains into the Arabian Sea, carries a large amount of radiation into the sea. The radiation enters the body of fish, prawns and other marine life, the seer stated.

The seer added: "Kaiga plant is located in the Western Ghats, a treasure trove of flora and fauna. Even the Centre has declared the region as eco-sensitive area. Establishing an atomic power plant in the Western Ghats is not right. And the expansion of the plant is an even bigger sin."

There are seven major dams in the Kali river valley. Major landslides or earthquakes in Kadra-Kaiga region would spell doom for life and property, he expressed concern and urged the Centre to drop the expansion plans.

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JD(S) leader G T Devegowda backs CM Siddaramaiah in MUDA row, taunts HDK

News Network

October 4,2024

Mysuru: Chairman of JD(S) core committee and Chamundeshwari constituency MLA G T Devegowda on Thursday expressed his solidarity with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah saying the latter need not resign, while lambasting leaders of his own party and alliance partner BJP, including Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy.

In his speech during Mysuru Dasara inauguration he said that if persons against whom FIR is registered have to resign, many leaders from all the three parties, including Opposition Leader R Ashoka, will have to resign.

“All are sitting in glass houses... Since I know Siddaramaiah well, I am talking about him. At a time when mines and real estate are ruling politics, Siddaramaiah has survived in politics. He has never done any favour,” Devegowda said.

He added, “Allegations against Siddaramaiah are unexpected and accidental. If the Governor and Chief Justice order an investigation, it does not mean that he should resign."

He continued, asking, "Have they told Siddaramaiah to resign or have they asked to imprison him? When a person becomes a Central minister, he or she should realise their dignity and responsibility. Instead of recognising the good work done by Siddaramaiah, they ask him to resign. Will Kumarswamy (facing an FIR) resign? Should Siddaramaiah, who has become CM with a support of 135 MLAs, resign?"

"Opposition leaders are not remembering the good work of earlier CMs Kengal Hanumanthaiah, Veerendra Patil, Ramakrishna Hegde, H D Deve Gowda or S M Krishna. Karnataka is a model state. It is a bad trend to topple an elected government which is doing good work,” he further said.

Devegowda added, “Siddaramaiah is Goddess Chamundeshwari’s ‘Varaputra’ and hence has her blessings during tough times. He won the election in Chamundeshwari Assembly constituency, when the BJP-JD(S) government was in power in 2006. With the blessings of the Goddess, he has held varied positions right from becoming an MLA for the first time in 1983. He presented 15 budgets and has become CM for a second time. He took H C Mahadevappa, a Dalit leader to the state level. Siddaramaiah has the support of Deputy CM D K Shivakumar as ‘Jodeththu’. Blessings of the beneficiaries of guarantee schemes are with him (Siddaramaiah).”

Siddaramaiah said, “Devegowda was a MUDA member. He knows the truth. Hence, he is saying this. His words have filled strength in me. ‘Satyameva Jayate’, Truth will always triumph.”

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