Nuclear bill to be introduced in LS tomorrow

A crucial bill that provides for compensation in case of a nuclear accident is slated to be introduced in the Lok Sabha tomorrow, a move that is expected to give more fodder to the Opposition to attack the government.

A crucial bill that provides for compensation in case of a nuclear accident is slated to be introduced in the Lok Sabha tomorrow, a move that is expected to give more fodder to the Opposition to attack the government.

HT Image

The BJP and the Left parties have already indicated opposition to the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Bill that is key to operationalise the landmark Indo-US nuclear deal.

The Bill pegs the maximum amount of liability in case of each nuclear accident at Rs 300 crore to be paid by the operator of the nuclear plant.

However, the draft bill also has provisions that would enable the government to either increase or decrease the amount of liability of any operator.

“At the introduction itself we will oppose unless the government assures us that it would be sent to a Parliamentary Standing Committee,” CPI(M) politburo member Sitaram Yechury said.

The BJP is also understood to have expressed concern over the Rs 300 crore limit in the liability of the nuclear power plant operator.

“All these issues are there and we will discuss all that in the standing committee,” said Yechury when asked about the Rs 300 crore limit.

Reports had it that the government was keen on getting the Bill passed in the ongoing budget session itself.