PM signals readiness to redraft N-liability bill

NEW DELHI: The civil nuclear liability bill will be rewritten, following Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's statement that the government was ready to discuss deficiencies in the legislation that could not be introduced in Parliament because of the Opposition's protests.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of the Padma awards ceremony, the PM stressed the government had an open mind on the issue, signalling the desire to accommodate concerns about the bill. "It should go to the standing committee where all possible divergence of opinion can be resolved," he said.

The PM's remarks tied in with strong indications that the government has veered around to appreciate the necessity to "fix" the bill seen as full of ambiguities.

Sources indicated that one possible change could be revision of the formulation which gives the impression that all liabilities are to be paid by the operator.

Since it will be a while before the private sector is let in to operate nuclear power plants, the draft has been interpreted as saddling the government with the liability, letting international suppliers off the hook.

Another change will relate to the Rs 500 crore proposed as the no-fault liability of the operator. The government will clarify that there is no cap on the operator's liability.