Nuclear civil liability bill moved in Rajya Sabha

Calcutta News.Net
Monday 30th August, 2010

Minister of State for Science and Technology Prithviraj Chavan moved the civil nuclear liability bill in the Rajya Sabha Monday after the Lok Sabha passed the legislation last week.

'I beg to move that the bill to provide for civil liability for nuclear damage, and prompt compensation to victims of a nuclear incident through a no fault liability regime channelling liability to the operator, appointment of Claims Commissioner, establishment of Nuclear Damage Claims Commission and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto, as passed by the Lok Sabha, be taken into consideration,' Chavan said in the Rajya Sabha.

He pointed out that 18 amendments to the bill passed by the Lok Sabha Aug 25 accommodated most of the concerns raised by the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Left parties.

The Lok Sabha Wednesday gave its nod to the civil nuclear liability bill after 18 amendments were made to the proposed law that triples from Rs.500 crore to Rs.1,500 crore the liability cap on an operator in case of an accident.

The proposed law is critical for India's nuclear deals with various countries.

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