Govt to consult all political parties on civil nuclear bill

Facing stiff opposition over the nuclear liability Bill, government today said that it will consult all political parties before tabling the draft legislation in Parliament.

Facing stiff opposition over the nuclear liability Bill, government on Friday said that it will consult all political parties before tabling the draft legislation in Parliament.

"...We will consult all political parties concerned because it requires Parliamentary approval," Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee told reporters in New Delhi when asked about the government's next move on the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damages Bill 2010.

The minister also said, "The Bill has to be introduced and thereafter due Parliamentary procedure will take place."

Government deferred the introduction of the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Bill, a key-step in the operationalisation of Indo-US nuclear deal, in the House following strong objections from the members.

The Bill provides for compensation in case of any accident involving civil nuclear plants. Enactment of a liability law is one of the three key requirements because of which the Indo-US nuclear deal, concluded in September 2008, could not be operationalised so far.