The parliamentary standing committee on science and environment on Tuesday discussed the controversial Nuclear Liability Bill in view of the Bhopal gas tragedy verdict.
In the committee’s first meeting on the Nuclear Liability Bill, its members raised questions over the Rs 500 crores cap proposed on compensation to be paid by the operator in the event of an accident involving an atomic plant.
Responding to the queries the officials of the Union science and technology ministry explained that specifying the “cap” of liability was necessary for the operating company to take insurance cover. Union science and technology minister Prithviraj Chavan, who is in-charge of Department of Atomic Energy, had earlier said the government was willing to look into genuine issues raised by the committee related to the nuclear bill.
Even as the bill has been referred to the committee, sources said the government may bring about certain changes in some clauses of the bill on its own. Mr Chavan had underlined the need for Liability Act, arguing that the country lacks a law under which compensation could be awarded in the case of a nuclear accident.
This is important considering the fact that India is gearing up for a massive expansion of its nuclear-power sector. However, the BJP apprehends that through the legislation, the government is trying to enable foreign private companies to enter India’s nuclear market without giving a consideration to adequate safeguards.