Pragmatic, Balanced Implementation of Civil Nuclear Liability Necessary for India’s Civilian Nuclear Energy Programme

January 22, 2014

New Delhi: A pragmatic and balanced implementation of civil nuclear liability is the basic prerequisite to ensure the success of India’s civilian nuclear energy programme, it was stated at a round table discussion on ‘India’s Civil Nuclear Liability Law and Supplier’s Concerns’ on Thursday. The discussion was oragnised by the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) and the Indian Pugwash Society. Prominent experts from the government, industry and civil society participated in the discussion.

Commenting on the standoff between the vendors and the government over the provisions of the Liability Act, the experts insisted that the objective of act should be that that the victim in case of a nuclear incident should be able to get prompt and adequate compensation. They agreed that the law has provisions to safeguards the interest of the victims.

The experts from the industry argued that they have been participating in India Nuclear programme since 1967 and have supported the DAE in times of tougher international sanctions. Indian industry capabilities are today recognized by foreign technology providers in terms of engineering, manufacturing prowess, quality control etc.

The experts deliberated extensively on the various interpretations of the terms such as ‘vendors’, ‘contractors’ and ‘suppliers’ used for Indian industries in The Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage (CLND) Act, 2010, . The experts expressed optimism over formulating adequate insurance cover by the Indian insurance giants to address the liability to suppliers and operators arising out of the liability act.

The experts also deliberated upon challenges and prospects for rigorous implementation of nuclear program through creation of mechanisms for technology absorption as well as to achieve greater degree of indigenization in nuclear reactor and component manufacturing.