Yesterday, the Indian Minister in charge of the Department of Atomic energy stated in the Indian Parliament that the government was looking for probable sites for nuclear plants in Punjab. In a sharp and quick reaction, Dal Khalsa strongly opposes New Delhi’s proposal and seeks total rejection of the move by all political parties of Punjab. 

IN the interest and safety of the people of the state, we oppose the government of India’s proposal to set up a nuclear power plant in Punjab said the Dal Khalsa in a sharp and quick reaction to the Centre’s move yesterday in the Indian Parliament.

The proposal to set up a nuclear power plant in a densely-populated border state is totally fraught with dangerous consequences cautioned Kanwar Pal Singh, the spokesperson of the party.

Yesterday during question hour in Parliament, Minister of State in the Department of Atomic Energy Jitendra Singh said the government was exploring new sites near Bathinda and Patiala to set up nuclear power plants in Punjab.

The Dal Khalsa statement mentioned that in 2016 too, the Centre looked for possible sites in Punjab for setting up nuclear power plants. However, the then Punjab Government of BJP’s ally Shiromani Akali Dal and all other political parties including the Congress had rejected the proposal.

Party spokesman Kanwar Pal Singh said present-day Punjab -the border state sandwiched between two hostile nuclear-ready nations presents a disturbing possibility of being converted into a theatre of war. Setting-up a nuclear plant in the state could prove disastrous for Punjab- given the animosity between the two arch-rivals India and Pakistan.

As far as a power shortage in Punjab is concerned, the Centre should fully hand over the Bhakra-Beas Management Board to Punjab, read the Dal Khalsa statement. Once the management is handed over to its original owner Punjab – the state will become power surplus. New Delhi should withdraw from its illegal control over the Bhakra Beas Management Board, said Kanwar Pal Singh.