SC to examine validity of nuclear damages act

The Supreme Court today said it would examine the constitutional validity of the civil liability for nuclear damages act 2010 wherein the maximum liability on the supplier and the operator of a nuclear power plant is pegged at Rs.15,000 crore ($2.9 billion).

The Supreme Court Friday said it would examine the constitutional validity of the civil liability for nuclear damages act 2010 wherein the maximum liability on the supplier and the operator of a nuclear power plant is pegged at Rs.15,000 crore ($2.9 billion).

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The apex court bench headed by Chief Justice SH Kapadia issued notice to the centre on a plea by the NGO Common Cause, challenging the provisions of the act.

Counsel Prashant Bhushan, appealing for the petitioner NGO, told the court that despite serious deficiencies in existing nuclear power plants, the government has not taken any steps to rectify them.

He said the operator of a nuclear power plant has to spend far more money on making it secure than on meeting liabilities in the event of an accident.