A group of citizens including some senior scientists has asked the government to review its nuclear power policy and conduct an independent and transparent safety audit of nuclear facilities in the wake incidents at the Fukushima atomic power plant in Japan.
In an open letter, the group which include P Balaram, Director of the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, A Gopalakrishnan, the former Chairman of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, has called for a moratorium on all further nuclear activity till the review is completed.
“We strongly believe that India must radically review its nuclear power policy for appropriateness, safety, costs, and public acceptance, and undertake an independent, transparent safety audit of all its nuclear facilities, which involves non-DAE experts and civil society organisations,” the letter said.
“Pending the review, there should be a moratorium on all further nuclear activity, and revocation of recent clearances for nuclear projects,” it said.
Jean Dreze, economist and Member of the National Advisory Council, Praful Bidwai, columnist, P M Bhargava, former Director, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, Shabnam Hashmi, activist, Anhad, Sumit Sarkar, historian are among the over 50 signatories to the letter.
