To
\nMrs. Sonia Gandhi
\nChairperson, United Progressive Alliance
\n10, Janpath
\nNew Delhi<\/p>\n
May 23, 2012<\/p>\n
Dear Mrs. Gandhi,<\/p>\n
I have already forwarded two petitions on 21st January and 20th April 2012 to bring the matter regarding the protests against the non observation of norms in the nuclear plant at Kudankulam; the clamping down on protestors. Place for dissent is shrinking in India, which is a matter of great concern.<\/p>\n
The protestors and movement have raised several unanswered questions about the safety and viability, which far from being addressed are being silenced. Enclosed is a statement by National Alliance for People\u2019s Movements (NAPM) and the 11 Demands by People\u2019s Movement Against Nuclear Energy (PMANE) who are on indefinite fast from May 1, 2012.<\/p>\n
I would particularly highlight the second demand, that the instructions of the Central Information Commission (CIC) to the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. (NPCIL) be implemented immediately.<\/p>\n
A related matter is that of the Nuclear Safety Regulatory Authority Bill 2011 (NSRA Bill) which attempts to amend the Right to Information Act (RTI Act), to deny access to information relating to nuclear safety matters. It also permits the creation of special nuclear safety regulatory authorities which will be born vaccinated from the RTI Act. There is no rationale for safety and regulatory authorities to be outside the purview of the RTI.<\/p>\n
We hope you will personally take up this matter and protect basic civil and democratic rights.<\/p>\n
With warm regards, yours sincerely,<\/p>\n
Aruna Roy<\/p>\n
Enclosed:<\/p>\n
1. Covering Letter by National Alliance for People\u2019s Movements (NAPM)<\/a><\/p>\n