Union Minister of State in Prime Minister’s office, Mr. V Narayanasamy has said that the Koodankulam Nuclear Plant will start functioning from November this year after the formal inspection of the AERB. Speaking to newsmen in Chennai, Mr. Narayanasamy affirmed that the uranium filling work has been completed at the plant.

To a question on sharing the power produced at the plant, the Minister said that Union Ministers Mr.P.Chidambaram and Mr.G.K.Vasan have met the Prime Minister to stress the need for allocating more electricity to Tamil Nadu.

Mr. V Narayanasamy said the second unit of Koodankulam will begin by 2013 March. To another question on FDI, the Minister assured that the economic situation in the country would improve along with employment opportunities.

He pointed out that the announcement on FDI in retail has attracted more investments and has also earned an income of 35 thousand crore rupees to the Country resulting in interest free loans to the farmers in Punjab.

It would generate an additional 2 crore employment , he said. On dealing with the power shortage faced by Tamil Nadu, Mr. Narayanasamy said the Centre has allocated 890 MW from the Central pool to the State.

Answering a question on Centre’s assistance, the Minister stressed upon the need to create more awareness on centrally sponsored projects implemented by the State. He said Centre had allocated 23,535 crore rupees for the State this financial year which was in the higher side compared to other states.