Are Units I, II really functioning, Mr PC?

CHENNAI: Are the first two units of the Koodankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) already running? So thinks Union Home Minister, P Chidambaram, Union Home Minister, whose gaffe send shock waves across Congress supporters and media persons at a function organised to celebrate, among other things, the birthday of Sonia Gandhi on Saturday.“Units I and II are already functioning (seyalpattuvarukirathu) and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is expected to inaugurate units III and IV,” he told the amused crowd at Kamaraj Arangam.Earlier, he employed rhetoric to drive home the point that nuclear energy is the need of the hour. “The issue is not just Koodankulam. Do you need electricity or not? What do you want – a petromax light or electric bulb to light your house?” were some of the questions he raised. The crowd cheered when he concluded that nuclear energy was the solution to the national power crisis.“The Union Government gives top priority to allaying fears of the people,” he said, adding, “The Centre is determined to commission KKNPP.”