Locals protest ‘job denial’ in Kudankulam plant

Madurai: Residents of villages around Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant and holders of Land Loser Certificates (LCC) carried out a protest on Monday demanding jobs at the facility, alleging that local candidates who cleared recruitment examinations were being denied appointments.They said many local youths and women had passed examinations conducted for Category D posts at the nuclear power station, but appointment orders had not been issued. Police detained several people during the protest. Condemning the arrests, former assembly speaker M Appavu urged the govt to intervene. “An agreement was reached in 1999 between the then Tirunelveli district collector, me as the then MLA, and Atindra Sen, who was then director of Indian nuclear power project.

Under the agreement, people who gave land for Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant and residents of the surrounding area were to be provided employment in Category C and Category D posts based on their qualifications, without a selection process,” Appavu said in a letter to the govt.He said the arrangement remained in force until 2011, and attempts made thereafter by the plant administration to recruit employees through competitive examinations were challenged through legal proceedings.

Appavu alleged that many candidates possessing Land Loser Certificates had cleared the recent recruitment examination but were not being offered jobs. He demanded immediate appointment orders for successful local candidates and sought the release of those detained during the protest. He warned that DMK would launch protests if the demands were not addressed.