FICCI, CII and other industry lobby groups may be downcast about the supplier liability provisions of the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Bill but Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is bearish on the prospects of India having enough vendors to choose from.
“The proof of the pudding is in the eating,” he said, when asked during an interaction with editors here on Monday about the fears expressed in some quarters about the unwillingness of Indian and foreign companies to supply equipment for the Indian nuclear energy programme in the wake of the Indian liability law opening a window for claims against them if an accident were to occur. “Much will depend on how the rules are formulated,” he added.
He said the industry groups had lobbied against certain provisions but now that the Bill had been passed, the chambers had welcomed it. This was because suppliers within India would be the biggest beneficiaries of the nuclear programme. “I hope their profits will tell the true story. If they make a lot of money, they will forget some of the concerns they have expressed.”
The Prime Minister said he was very happy that the Bill, “as finally passed, enjoys the support of more than 75 per cent of Parliament, there was near unanimity.” “I hope we can emulate that elsewhere,” he added.
