Active Stocks
Thu Mar 28 2024 15:59:33
  1. Tata Steel share price
  2. 155.90 2.00%
  1. ICICI Bank share price
  2. 1,095.75 1.08%
  1. HDFC Bank share price
  2. 1,448.20 0.52%
  1. ITC share price
  2. 428.55 0.13%
  1. Power Grid Corporation Of India share price
  2. 277.05 2.21%
Business News/ Politics / Policy/  Talks on Jaitapur project to resume: French ambassador
BackBack

Talks on Jaitapur project to resume: French ambassador

Move could lead to strains between alliance partners BJP and Shiv Sena

In 2011, the Shiv Sena led an agitation against the nuclear power project at Jaitapur, Maharashtra. Premium
In 2011, the Shiv Sena led an agitation against the nuclear power project at Jaitapur, Maharashtra.

Mumbai: Talks are set to resume on the future of the proposed 9,900 megawatt (MW) nuclear power project at Jaitapur in Maharashtra, France’s ambassador to India said on Wednesday—a move that could lead to strains between alliance partners Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena.

The Shiv Sena, which is the second largest party in the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), has been opposed to the project.

Talks between the Nuclear Power Corp. of India Ltd (NCPIL) and the French government-owned nuclear power equipment manufacturer Areva SA, halted in March, will now resume, French ambassador François Richer said in Mumbai.

“Last week France’s foreign minister Laurent Fabius was in India and he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, and finance and defence minister Arun Jaitely," said the French ambassador.

“All these leaders said that the Indian government has no problem with both companies continuing with their ongoing negotiations," he said, adding that he was not aware of the exact schedule of talks.

Richer said that a number of issues still need to be resolved before a commercial agreement is signed, including pricing of power from the plant and sourcing of equipment from Japan.

In 2011, the Sena led an agitation against the project which turned violent, leading to the death of one person. In May, soon after the NDA government came to power at the centre, Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray said his party will continue to oppose the project.

“We continue to oppose the Jaitapur nuclear power project and if it is so safe, the central government can transfer it to some other state and we will be happy, just to buy power from the project," the Shiv Sena president said.

When asked about the Sena’s opposition to the project, Richer declined to comment, saying it is an internal matter for the government.

Phone calls and text messages made to Sena spokespersons remained unanswered.

Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!

Catch all the Politics News and Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates & Live Business News.
More Less
Published: 09 Jul 2014, 11:52 PM IST
Next Story footLogo
Recommended For You
Switch to the Mint app for fast and personalized news - Get App