People’s Commission expresses concern over India’s nuclear strategy
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in News/ June 2,2025
Peoples Commission expresses concerns at the setback to India’s quest for self-reliance in the field of nuclear energy.
In a press comminque’ it has demanded that Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act (CNLDA) should be strengthened as earlier proposed by the Parliamentary Standing Committee rather than diluting it.
It may be mentioned that the Finance Minister’s budget speech had indicated that India would consider amending the Atomic Energy Act and the CLNDA for promoting domestic and foreign investments in the field of nuclear energy. She also said to steeply increase India’s reliance on imported reactors by planning to add 100 GW of nuclear power capacity based on such a strategy.
The Central government is reported to be considering a proposal to permit 49% FDI in nuclear power plants. The government should not rush into permitting 49% FDI in nuclear power. The department of atomic energy(DAE) should reconsider its present strategy of large-scale shift in reliance from self-reliance to increasing dependence on imported nuclear reactors.
The DAE should not further delay processing a Bill for setting up an independent nuclear regulatory authority on the lines suggested by the then Parliamentary Standing Committee in 2012.
In August 2023, the Centrer permitted private mining of beach sands through an amendment to the Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act (MMDRA),and these amendments shouldbe revoked. It is highly imprudent for India to shift its emphasis from self-reliance in nuclear power to large-scale dependence on imported reactors MMDRA amendment to re-introduce private mining in beach sands.
With most nuclear power plant sites proposing to have multiple reactors, the cumulative impact of a nuclear disaster could be enormous, especially in a regulatory environment that’s anything but independent and strong.
People’s Commission expresses concern over India’s nuclear strategy. It is ironic that India should opt in favour of such expensive, risk-prone, imported nuclear electricity at the cost of promoting self-reliance in the field of nuclear energy, by reducing its reliance on indigenously available coal which India produces in large quantities.
Coal mining and production are highly employment-intensive, where as India importing nuclear reactors will result in employment benefits accruing to supplier countries, rather than in India. Once nuclear plants come into operation, the State power utilities will have no option to exercise their right to buy electricity in merit order, as they are mandated to absorb nuclear electricity at any cost.
