DAE Chairman admits radiation leak, denies deformities

Chennai, Feb 2 (UNI) Eminent nuclear scientist and Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) Chairman Anil Kakodkar today admitted that there was radiation leak in India's first Uranium mine at Jadugoda in Jharkhand, but dismissed reports that deformities suffered by the locals were due to radiation.

Talking to newspersons after inaugurating the library and student facilities at the Chennai Mathematical Institute facility at Siruseri near here, he admitted that one of the pipes carrying Uranium to the tailing pond broke, leading to the leakage, in the last week of December.

''It was found only next morning. Steps were taken to clean it up and the leak was plugged. Everything is under control'', he added.

Reports that the local people were affected by the radiation leak were unfounded and baseless, he added.

Reports said that tribals in Jadugoda were suffering from mental and physical disorders due to radiation.

''We conducted a survey in the area by involving the NGOs also and a report was sent to the Centre. The disorders will be in every other place and the survey revealed that it was not due to any radiation leak'', Dr Kakodkar asserted.

UNI