DYFI asks Centre to address safety concerns at Kudankulam nuclear plant

The Centre should take steps to address safety concerns of locals protesting commissioning of nuclear power plant at Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu, Democratic Youth Federation of India said on Thursday.

DYFI was not against use of nuclear energy, but wanted safety measures to be ensured before setting out for such ventures, M B Rajesh, MP and newly-elected all-India president of pro-CPM DYFI, told reporters.

“We do not believe in blanket ban on nuclear plants and over-dependence on nuclear energy,” Rajesh said, adding, safety audit on the plant should be made available to people. The DYFI also opposed the use of imported nuclear reactors and was participating in the people’s struggle against the proposed nuclear plant at Jaitapur in Maharashtra with French assistance. The plant, estimated to cost Rs 2 lakh crore was neither financially nor technically feasible, he said.

He said the DYFI would launch an all-India movement against corruption along with the fight against the liberalisation policies of the Centre.

“We admit that our own weaknesses led to the hijacking of the anti-corruption movement by apolitical forces. However, with Team Anna parting ways, it has been proved that such movements will not last long,” he said.

Rajesh said the recent national conference of DYFI held in Bangalore had amended its
constitution to give affiliation to other youth outfits which approved its programmes. Tribal youth fora in Tripura and Jammu and Kashmir and an IT professionals’ association had already been given affiliation.