SHANTI Bill: Opposition flags safety risks, regulatory gaps

The Opposition on Thursday raised apprehensions in the Rajya Sabha during the debate on the SHANTI Bill, alleging that opening up the civil nuclear sector could compromise safety and create scope for irregularities by private players.


The Congress members emphasised that India's nuclear program was initiated when Jawaharlal Nehru was the PM and the present status is due to the foundation laid down by him.



Several Opposition parties insisted that the bill be sent to a select committee of the House or a joint committee of Parliament.


Congress chief whip Jairam Ramesh alleged that the Narendra Modi government is "incomparable" when it comes to coining acronyms and giving colourful names to programmes and schemes. He took a dig at the BJP-led government's oft-repeated claim that several landmark initiatives were taken only from 2014 onwards, saying the first Atomic Energy Bill was passed on April 6, 1948, and the Atomic Energy Commission was subsequently established on August 15, 1948, with Homi Bhabha being its head.


Ramesh referred to the speeches made by then Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley and senior BJP leader Jaswant Singh in the Lok Sabha in 2010 when the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Bill was passed. "The SHANTI Bill is opposite of what the BJP had stated then. Why are you doing a U-turn now? Is it due to the US pressure? You should tell the House... It is my direct charge that this bill is aimed only at benefitting private companies," Ramesh said. He maintained that India is self-reliant at present and all controls are with the scientists. On the provision to build Small Modular Reactors (SMR), he alleged that three private companies are set to benefit from this step.


While India has poor uranium resources and is dependent on imports, it has rich reserves of thorium, the Congress leader said, adding that nuclear expert Anil Kakodkar's suggestions on using thorium should be paid heed to.


Citing the example of France which gets 70% of its electricity from nuclear sources, he said all its plants are owned by the government. Ramesh warned that India should not emulate the US where 80% of its civil nuclear program is privatised.