Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar on Monday, 26 October 2025, questioned the clearance granted for preliminary drilling at Tata Power's proposed nuclear power project site in Rewa district, Madhya Pradesh, alleging the No Objection Certificate was issued despite the local village assembly's explicit refusal to grant consent. Singhar raised the matter at a press conference in Bhopal, a day after visiting the proposed site in the Rojhauhi-Sarai Kala area and meeting tribal residents and villagers protesting the proposal.

The Disputed NOC

According to Singhar, the Gram Sabha unanimously refused consent for drilling on 3 September, and the Gram Panchayat formally communicated this decision to the District Collector via a letter dated 5 September. Despite this, an NOC was reportedly issued on 23 September, allegedly citing a separate consent letter dated 4 September — a letter whose authenticity has been disputed.

'When the Gram Sabha had clearly refused to give consent, on what basis was the No Objection Certificate issued? The government must explain the circumstances and make the relevant documents public,' Singhar said.

Sarpanch Komal Sanjay Singh subsequently approached the Divisional Commissioner and the District Collector on 8 October, seeking an inquiry into the authenticity of the alleged consent letter and the cancellation of the NOC.

Community Opposition and Concerns

The proposed project involves two 220-MW nuclear power units. Local residents — including tribal families, small farmers, and agricultural labourers — have sustained protests against the proposal, citing concerns over public safety, water availability, agricultural livelihoods, and potential environmental damage.

Singhar demanded that the government clarify whether a comprehensive environmental impact assessment, seismic risk studies, and water availability assessments had been completed before the NOC was granted. He also sought details of emergency preparedness plans, the precise location of proposed reactors, and the number of villages and families that may fall within applicable safety zones.

Tribal Rights and Safety Questions

The opposition leader also referred to the death of tribal woman Vimla Kol during the agitation, calling for protesters' grievances to be formally addressed. 'The government must explain how the safety of nearby residents will be ensured and how the interests of tribal families and farmers will be protected,' he said.

Singhar took a direct swipe at the Chief Minister Mohan Yadav-led Madhya Pradesh government, drawing a pointed contrast: 'Where people die after drinking contaminated water and innocent children lose their lives due to poisonous cough syrup, how can the government guarantee the safety of a nuclear power plant?'

Broader Context

The controversy surfaces at a sensitive intersection of India's nuclear energy ambitions and tribal land rights. India has been accelerating its nuclear capacity expansion, but community consent — especially in tribal areas governed by the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA) — is a legally mandated prerequisite for such projects. Critics argue that bypassing Gram Sabha decisions in scheduled areas undermines both due process and constitutional protections for tribal communities. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Madhya Pradesh has not yet issued a formal response to the allegations.

Protests at the site are reportedly continuing, with residents demanding transparency from the state government on the disputed consent process and the project's long-term implications for their communities.