Cabinet to discuss nuclear bill changes on Friday
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A crucial cabinet meeting on Thursday that was to discuss, among other issues, the amendments suggested by a Parliamentary panel on the contentious civil nuclear liability bill has been postponed to Friday.
The meeting has been deferred to Friday, said the Prime Minister's Office.
The cabinet meeting, to be chaired by Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, is expected to approve recommendations of the parliamentary standing committee science and technology on the nuclear liability bill.
The 31-member committee, which examined the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Bill, 2010 for over nine weeks, tabled its report in both houses of parliament on Wednesday.
The panel has made a slew of proposals, that include tripling the accident compensation cap to Rs 1,500 crore ($322 million) and also sought to make suppliers of atomic equipment accountable if it is found defective or if an accident results from gross negligence.
It also recommended that while the government may increase the compensation cap, it should not decrease it under any circumstances. It also recommended doubling the period for victims' claims to 20 years.
After the cabinet's approval, the proposed legislation is expected to be passed during the ongoing monsoon session of parliament that is likely to conclude August 31.
The government is keen to get the legislation through before US President, Mr Barack Obama visits India in November as it is a prerequisite for beginning atomic trade following the 2008 India-US civil nuclear deal.
A section of the opposition has accused the ruling Congress and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of striking a deal to get the legislation through Parliament.
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