CM Looks to Allay Fears Over Kudgi Power Plant.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah recently held talks with farmers' representatives in the presence of officials from the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) to convince farmers to end their agitation against the 4,000-MW super thermal power plant coming up at Kudgi in Vijayapura district.

After the meeting, which also saw the participation of Energy Minister D K Shivakumar, Siddaramaiah told reporters that the farmers have agreed to stop the agitation after the government's assurance that the plant would not harm the environment.

Siddaramaiah said the farmers' fears of fly ash causing havoc in their surroundings were unfounded given that the plant will use the latest technology.

However, Rajya Raitha Sangha leader K C Puttannaiah accused the government of going ahead with the project ignoring environmental concerns. 'The agitation will be stopped if the work is stopped,' Puttannaiah maintained.

The government will convene one more meeting with the farmers after the Winter Session in Belagavi, the chief minister said.


THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS