HC Bench orders notice to Centre on KKNPP

MADURAI: The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, on Monday directed  issue of  notice to the Union Government on a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking a directive  to make Koodankulum Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP) operational. Originally, R Sankaranarayanan, president of the Theni District Congress Committee of Traders Cell, filed the PIL stating that the nuclear plant should become operational in order to overcome the power crisis facing Tamil Nadu. He further stated that the economy of the nation would be affected if the plant was not operational since it was built at a cost of Rs 13,500 crores.On Monday, when the matter came up for hearing before a Division Bench comprising  Justice K N Basha and Justice M Venugopal,  the Bench directed issue of notice to the Union Government returnable within three weeks.ANOTHER PIL: Meanwhile, K Santhakumar, a Madurai based advocate, filed a fresh PIL  seeking the  commissioning of the KKNPP.  In his petition, Santhakumar alleged that the poor and innocent people of Idinthakarai village were being misled with false claims and once they are enlightened with the truth,   they would change their stance. Santhakumar also said that the plant was perfectly safe, but the machinery and materials might be subjected to disuse if they are kept idle without functioning. Therefore, he sought the intervention of the court to make the nuclear plant operational.