Fishermen affected by Tarapur project can be given land near sea: Govt

The Maharashtra government today told the Bombay High Court that it has no objection in providing land near sea to those fishermen who were rehabilitated farther from the seashore after setting up the Tarapur Nuclear Power Plant in neighbouring Thane district.

"As per a government resolution passed on February 4, 1983, the collector of a district is vested with powers to allow fishermen to use public land without transferring the property rights to a third party," a report submitted by Sadanand Jadhav, joint secretary (Rehabilitation), department of Revenue and Forest, said.

The report was submitted before a division bench of Justice BH Marlapalle and Justice PD Kode after 53 affected villagers had moved the court saying the government has not complied with the conditions while rehabilitating them.

Tarapur Atomic Power Station was the first nuclear power plant in the country. The construction of the plant was started in 1962 and the plant became operational in 1969.

"The Thane collector can accordingly, as per the powers vested in him, can allow the use of land near sea to the affected fishermen," the report stated.

In the last hearing, the court had directed the state government to consider giving better fishing facilities and a coastal land to park the boats of fishermen and keep their fishing equipments.

Former union minister Ram Naik, who represented the fishermen had argued that the project affected people (PAP) were shifted to a place which was five kms away from the seashore.

The hearing of the petition has been adjourned for two weeks.