Govt avoids trouble; puts off nuke bill in LS

NEW DELHI: Averting trouble, the government today deferred introduction in Lok Sabha of the controversial nuclear liability bill that provides for compensation in the event of a mishap and indicated that it could be delayed till the second half of the Budget session starting April 12.

The Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Bill 2010, a key step in operationalisation of the Indo-US nuclear deal was listed for introduction in the House but at the last moment the government said it was not going ahead with it today.

The government decided against tabling the bill fearing trouble as Opposition Left parties and BJP as also ally Trinamool Congress were opposed to it and there were fears that there could be demands for division of votes.

With only one day left for the first half of the Budget session to end, the bill could now be tabled in the House in the next part starting on April 12.

"I have a request from the Minister Prithviraj Chavan that government does not intend to introduce the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Bill today," Speaker Meira Kumar announced.

She made the announcement when Chavan was to move the bill as per the business listed against his name, triggering protests from the opposition with NDA Working Chairman L K Advani asking the government to tell the House why the Bill was deferred suddenly.

Pointing out that the Bill was an important part of the day's business, Advani said, "The government should tell the House why it is not introducing the bill. Government should tell the House whether it has a re-think on it or whether they are not introducing because of opposition to the bill".