make Western Ghats nuclear free

Western Ghats Forum cannot act like NERO when the struggle to make Western Ghats nuclear free for future generations is gathering momentum.

The issue of preventing a potential Fukushima like disaster is very much an issue of conservation and restoration of ecosystem.

The children are quite up to date they know that countries such as Australia, Austria, Denmark, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Portugal, Israel, Malaysia, New Zealand, Norway, Germany, Spain and several others are opposed to nuclear power.

It is germane to recollect that while giving testimony to parliamentary standing committee on science, technology, environment and forests on the subject of Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Bill, 2010, the then secretary, ministry of health and family welfare, K Sujata Rao mentioned that "Since the response system to deal with any kind of emergency of such type, the hospitals are not well-equipped, it is natural that mortality and morbidity due to multiple burn, blasts, radiation injuries and psycho-social impact could be on very high scale and medical tackling of such a large emergency could have enough repercussions in the nearby areas of radioactive fallout."

She also mentioned that in the entire bill, there is not a single clause which speaks about taking healthcare during radiological emergencies. It reflects only about payment of compensation due to health impacts of such radiation. She suggested while setting up nuclear plants consideration may also be given to the fact that there should be hospital having trained doctors near such establishments and arrangements should also be made for free treatment of people who are affected by serious nuclear fallout." She confessed that her ministry is nowhere to meet an eventuality that may arise out of nuclear and radiological emergencies.
Is it the case that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is wiser than Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa? It is high time Atomic Energy Act, 1962 is scrapped. It is caught in a 1940s time warp.

Dr. V. Maitreyan, an oncologist, former Chairman, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science & Technology, Environment & Forests and currently Member, Rajya Sabha from AIADMK was trained by Dr. Robert Peter Gale, the world renowned medical oncologist who did bone marrow transplants on the Chernobyl nuclear accident victims. In his speech on 30th August, 2010 in the Parliament he quoted Dr. Robert Peter Gale book "Final Warning -- The Legacy of Chernobyl" saying nuclear accidents happen, "In sum, accidents happen. This is why the nuclear industry continues to insist upon laws limiting its liability for damages arising out of nuclear accidents". At the conclusion of the Chapter, Dr. Gale says: "As for Chernobyl, it may be that the greatest contributions made at Hospital Number 6 were not the lives saved but the lives lost. For the failure to save lives demonstrated how deadly nuclear power can be and how helpless the world is when radiation rages wild. In the end, we all live near Chernobyl, " he quoted.

I had appeared before this committee to give testimony. At least 8 union secretaries expressed reservations against the nuclear plant. They also revealed to the Parliamentary Standing Committee that they were not consulted in drafting the bill. Parliamentary Committee's report is available on web.

Why has AIDMK and Dr. V. Maitreyan pretending forgetfulness about their own wisdom. It appears that there are some non-state actors behind the nuclear power projects which are bigger than the democratically elected governments.

Please find below Dr. V. Maitreyan's recent question to PM in Parliament and the answer of JUNIOR MINISTER FOR PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE, V. NARAYANASAMY.. Even children can easily see through the sophistry of the minister's reply.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2017
TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.08.2012

FACILITIES FOR MEDICAL EMERGENCIES NEAR NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
2017. DR. V. MAITREYAN:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:
(a) whether there is adequate preparedness for medical emergencies in the vicinity of the nuclear power plants in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the details of hospitals with haematology laboratories, bone-marrow bank, immunology laboratories etc. near nuclear plants; and

(d) the steps taken/being taken by Government to provide these facilities in the vicinity of all nuclear power plants in the country?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (SHRI V. NARAYANASAMY) :

(a)&(b) Yes, Sir. Medical services to cater to general health and occupational health related injuries are available at all nuclear power plants. In addition, there are district hospitals/public health centers and private medical services available in the vicinity of nuclear power plant sites. The medical and para-medical professionals of these hospitals are trained and retrained periodically in attending to medical emergencies.

(c) In addition to the medical services available at the nuclear power plants, empanelment with super-speciality hospitals in the nearby towns/villages are also in place. Hematology laboratories are available at most of the Government/private hospitals, primary health centres and nursing homes, while Immunology laboratories, bone marrow banks and other specialised services are available at the super-speciality hospitals.

(d) Health care has been one of the focus areas of Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) Corporate Social Responsibility programme. Free medical services are being extended to the people living in the vicinity of nuclear power plants through mobile clinics and health centres. The scope of health care facilities to surrounding population around nuclear power plants is being further enhanced.

IS OUR UNION HEALTHY SECRETARY LYING OR THE PMO MINISTER? WHO DO U TRUST? IS THERE A CHOICE?

Gopal Krishna
ToxicsWatch Alliance (TWA)