Current Affairs- FAQ on Kudankulam issue- Part 4

5.5) Construction QA

Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited is having a corporate quality management

program which gives assurance of quality in all activities undertaken.

Based on the observations and perusal of documents available at site it is concluded that adequate quality standards are incorporated in all stages of works in the project. The assurance of quality is accorded highest attention in all fields i.e. in design, manufacturing and procurement, construction, erection, commissioning and operation.

The components manufactured in Russia and supplied to KKNPP 1&2 from Russian Federation are subjected to undergo the stringent checks as detailed in the quality assurance plans  developed jointly by NPCIL and Russian Nuclear authorities.

The construction works are carried out in accordance with QA manual especially in respect of civil construction, the materials used are tested for every batch at the concrete testing lab at site. The construction QA personnel inspect the works as per the QA plan and the works are carried out as per approval of QA staff. The records of testing and inspections which are extensive are well documented. The regular reviews of the quality are carried out by internal audits within NPCIL and audits on specific systems by AERB.

The reactor building containment has withstood a structural integrity and leak rate test at the test pressure, which is much higher than the design pressure. The hydro tests, non13 destructive tests (radiography, ultrasonic test) etc were carried out and records are maintained. Hot run has been carried out to validate the design.

All the relevant documents pertaining to quality are kept properly for ready reference.

5.6) Contract of Works

Expert group noted that NPCIL has appropriate procedures in place for award of contracts and works.

5.7) Local Employment Opportunities

1.0 On the subject of employment opportunities for the local population in KKNPP, on a query by the expert group, the KKNPP authorities provided the following information.

1.1 As per the existing order of Government of India, post to be recruited for Group‐B, C and D to be notified to District Employment Exchange and also to be published in Employment news. The advertisement had also been circulated to Land Loser Village Panchayats for vide circulation.

1.2 Being an organization under the Government of India, basic qualification and experience required for the post has to be fulfilled by each applicant. Relaxation in age and posts is as per existing orders of Government of India 1.3 As per G.O. Ms. No. 188 dated 28.12.1976 of Personnel & Administrative Reforms (Personnel Dept.), “only land losers who are displaced as a result of acquisition of land by public sector undertakings are to be given priority”. Honble’ Division Bench of Madurai bench, Madras High Court has also emphasized for providing employment opportunity to the displaced land losers. However at KKNPP no displacement of family had taken place due to acquisition of land.

1.4 As can be seen from the data provided below, out of 541 employees recruited at

KKNPP, 528 employees (97.5%) belong to Tamilnadu in the category of Group‐B, C&D.

1.5 Details of employees recruited are as below.

S.No	Description	No. of employees	Remarks
1	Land affected panchayats such as Kudankulam, Chettikulam, Vijayapathi and Irukundurai.	110	62 employees belongs to land loser category.
2	Radhapuram Taluk	160	Includes S.No.1
3	Tirunelveli district	295	Includes S.No.1&2
4	Tirunelveli, Kanyakumari and Tuticorin districts	386	Includes S.No.1 ‐3
5	Tamilnadu	528	Includes S.No.1 ‐4.

2.0 Additional employment opportunities:

            Plant is having the fixed sanction strength of regular manpower employment as per   guidelines of NPCIL. There is more scope for getting employment opportunities by way of working with the contractors. In addition, various contract employees are working under major contractors and also through jobs like housekeeping, civil maintenance etc., through Self Help Groups. In this process, around 2000‐3000 local persons are working with various contractors. In addition, the requirement of persons under the contract varies from time to time and it is a continuous process depending upon the time of contract period and new contracts coming up thereon based on the work exigencies. Further due to expansion of plant to have more units in future the job opportunities will increase. NPCIL has been supporting the education of the children around the plant with the intention that more and more persons in future qualify for these jobs. NPCIL intends to expand the activities related to education/ training in a bigger way.”