Nuclear deal at cost of nation's sovereignty: Balan

Kochi, Aug 20 (UNI) Kerala Electricity Minister A K Balan today said the Indo-US nuclear deal was signed at the cost of nation's sovereignty.

Addressing a gathering here, Mr Balan said the Centre claimed the 123 agreement would substantially solve the civilian power problems. However, the question remained whether it would be achieved at the cost of national sovereignty, he sought to know.

''Against the tall claims of adding 10,000 mw to 20,000 mw of power, we will have to compromise on our foreign policy,'' he added.

If all the energy sources would be explored, the energy problem could be solved with our own resources, Mr Balan claimed.

The Left Democratic Front (LDF) Government Minister also lamented that the environmentalists had not voiced their protest against the deal.

UNI