Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday categorically stated that the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Bill, 2010 “seeks to end nuclear apartheid” against India in nuclear power.
Putting up a forceful defence in his intervention in the Lok Sabha during the debate on the bill, the Prime Minister rejected charges that the legislation was aimed at promoting American interests.
“This is far from truth but it is not the first time that such charge has been made against me. In 1992, when as Finance Minister I presented the Union budget, the allegation was made that it was prepared in the U.S. The entire Opposition, with a few exceptions, even demanded my impeachment,'' Dr. Singh said.
Asserting that nuclear power was the “viable” option which simply could not be ignored, the Prime Minister said the legislation would enable India to widen this option by entering into nuclear commerce with other countries.
“To say we have anyway compromised India's national interest will be a travesty of facts,” the Prime Minister said. “History will be the judge,” he said while pointing to the economic reform initiated in 1992 during his tenure as Finance Minister. Dr. Singh said it contributed to making the country “what Jaswant Singhji [senior BJP leader] called a resurgent and assertive India.”
Lot of work done
Pointing out that his government had pursued the bill with determination, Dr. Singh said the process started in 1999. “While going through the files of the Department of Atomic Energy, I found that a lot of work had already been done by our scientists who had said that India needed such a law.”
Agreeing with Mr. Jaswant Singh and sharing his concern over nuclear safety, the Prime Minister said utilisation of nuclear energy was a serious issue and needed to be handled with the utmost care.
He said the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board was an independent entity and in the 40 atomic reactors in the country not a single incident had occurred. This was a tribute to the capability of India's scientists.
“But we cannot rest on our laurels,'' he said assuring the House that safety concerns always received the government's attention.
Referring to questions if nuclear power was a viable option, Dr. Singh said that as of now all studies done by the atomic energy establishment had shown that “nuclear energy is the best option.”
“But technology is not constant, it is moving fast. I cannot predict what future holds. Nuclear energy remains a viable option which India should make,'' he told the House.
Limited options
On hydro and coal options for generation power, the Prime Minister said these presented limited options and there were concerns over climate change.
“If nuclear energy is a viable option, India must be able to use it. Development is the act of widening the development options that are open to the country. Beyond coal and hydel energy, nuclear energy is the option,'' he stated.
