N-liability bill passed in Rajya Sabha

Clearing the way for the country to have nuclear commerce with the world, Parliament on Monday adopted the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Bill, 2010 with the government saying it is still open to suggestions on the legislation.

Clearing the way for the country to have nuclear commerce with the world, Parliament on Monday adopted the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Bill, 2010 with the government saying it is still open to suggestions on the legislation.

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With BJP already on board, Rajya Sabha adopted the Bill passed by Lok Sabha last week, and rejected amendments moved by the Left parties as well as the TDP.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was present throughout the debate that went for over four hours and was seen giving directions to Science and Technology Minister Prithviraj Chavan.

Replying to the debate, initiated by leader of Opposition in the House, Arun Jaitley, Chavan said the government is open to every single suggestion made in the House in due course.

"This is not finality... We will take care of every single suggestion", Chavan said insisting the operator liability cap of R1500 is same as what US has for a single nuclear accident under the same provision.

Chavan also stressed that government will strengthen the regulatory frameworks governing the atomic sector, and allayed the fears that nuclear power will be highly-priced.