Karnataka asks NTPC to review locations for nuclear plant before submitting proposal

The Karnataka government on Thursday decided to ask the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) to review locations across the State before submitting its proposal for a nuclear power plant.

Initial proposal

While the NTPC has initially proposed Vijayapura, Koppal, and Raichur as possible locations, the State Cabinet, which met here on Thursday, decided to ask the corporation to consider the State as a unit and review possible locations across the State.

“We have agreed on the need for a nuclear power project. However, we want the NTPC to study the whole State and submit a feasibility report on all possibilities to the government based on which a decision could be taken,” Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil told presspersons in his post-Cabinet meeting briefing. He clarified that the State government had not given any guidelines to the NTPC on the project.

The Minister said the Cabinet has also decided to amend the definition of ‘plastic bag’ in the notifications issued on March 11, 2016, and April 4, 2018, banning the use of plastic bags and define it as ‘compostable plastic bag’. He said the amendment was being proposed to make the plastic management easier.

Other decisions

The other Cabinet decisions include approval of the purchase of 32 mobile forensic vehicles at a cost ₹20.4 crore, Horticulture Technology Park on 194.33 acres under the PPP model at Kanakagiri in Koppal district, and implementation of the Centrally- sponsored revamped distribution sector scheme by Chamundeshari Electricity Supply Company at a cost of ₹3,779.06 crore.

It also approved expansion of the area of Shettihalli wildlife reserve in Tirthahalli in Shivamogga district; setting up of mango and other horticulture produce management, procurement, processing, and preservation unit at Hangal in Haveri district at a cost of ₹35.07 crore on the lines of Common Infrastructure for Industrial Parks; purchase of 1,530 telemetric equipment at a cost of ₹19.89 crore, and setting up of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Constitution Chair in the University of Mysore at a cost of ₹10 crore.