Jaitapur: Govt promises speedy payment of compensation

MUMBAI: Keen to expedite the 9,900-MW Jaitapur nuclear power plant in Konkan's Ratnagiri district, Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan today promised speedy disbursal of the enhanced compensation to those whose lands have been acquired for the project.

"Increased compensation will be disbursed by October 15," Chavan said at a meeting with the representatives of the project-affected people.

The project is facing a stiff resistance in the area. Chavan also assured that government would sympathetically deal with minor criminal cases against the agitators (filed in the course of violent protests against the project).

"Barring some serious cases, those who have been booked for minor crimes, the state government will think sympathetically to withdraw their cases," he said.

Welcoming the decision of Janhit Seva Samiti, a local organisation, to hold a dialogue with the government, Chavan said the project-affected people would be properly rehabilitated.

"So far, the state government has disbursed Rs 50 crore to 312 out of the total 2,236 project-affected people," he said.

Export-oriented mango and fish processing facilities will be set up in Ratnagiri, while an advanced port for fishing will be built in Jaitapur, he said. An industrial training centre will also be set up in the area, Chavan said.