Describing as “unfounded” the opposition to the Civil Nuclear Liability Bill, the Congress on Monday said it was entirely possible that those dealing with the proposed legislation would change — increase or decrease — the quantum of liability once it is tabled in Parliament.
Responding to queries here, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said while it was premature to speculate, it was entirely possible that the managers of the Bill could amend the quantum.
Explaining that those opposed to the Bill were doing it out of blinkered vision, Mr. Singhvi said it was for the first time that a provision for strict liability had been made in the country in the case of a nuclear mishap. “An amount of Rs. 500 crore [as in the present draft of the Bill] will have to be given without even the complainant having to prove negligence. This would be in addition to the second tier of liability amounting to Rs.1,500 crore under criminal liability.”
Mr Singhvi said the proposed law was in tune with the present international laws.
