India not to surrender its right to conduct nuclear test: Rajnath

Korba, Chhattisgarh, Aug 17 (UNI) Claiming that the Indo-US Nuclear agreement was against larger interests of the nation, BJP President Rajnath Singh today said the country would not surrender its right to conduct nuclear tests.

Addressing a gathering after dedicating the first unit of 2x250 MW Korba (East) power plant constructed at an estimated cost of more than Rs 2,200 crore, he said though the Left parties were opposing the nuclear deal with the US, they were hesitant to withdraw support to the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.

''We will not succumb to any pressure on the nuclear agreement,'' he said, adding that the country's scientists had already developed nuclear technology, which could be used for the progress of our nation.

Mr Singh said the scientists were ready to conduct nuclear tests but the then Prime Minister did not gave approval to go ahead with the nuclear test.

''After the NDA government came to power, Prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee took a bold step and conducted nuclear test. As the United States threatened India with sanctions, Mr Vajpayee made it clear that India would not succumb to any such external pressure,'' he added.

Referring to the initiatives taken by the Chhattisgarh Government for power production, the BJP President said the country was already in a position to set up nuclear power plant for which technology was already available.

''I am sure that India would definitely become a global power hub once the project takes off,'' he added.

Chief Minister Raman Singh said the state government had already set in motion a process to set up a number of power plants.

''Once these projects are commissioned, Chhattisgarh would not only become self reliant but would be in a position to supply power to a number of neighbouring states,'' he added.

He said the state electricity board had also signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with private sector to attract investment in the power sector.

BJP vice-president Karuna Shukla, state BJP chief Vishnodeo Sai, ministers and senior party leaders were among those present at the function.

Later, the BJP president also distributed bonus and 'Charanpaduka' (shoes) to the tribals who are engaged in collection of tendu (beedi) leaves from forests. He also launched various development schemes to be implemented at an estimated cost of Rs 90 crore.

UNI