india commited to nuclear energy

India committed to nuclear energy

On a day when the world marked the 25th anniversary of Chernobyl nuclear disaster India reaffirmed its commitment to an ambitious nuclear energy plan by pushing ahead with the first phase of controversial nuclear power project at Jaithapur in Maharashtra  with additional safety measures and “generous new compensation package “ to be announced soon.

But in a concession to heightened public awareness and over sight, the government on 26th April promised to introduce a bill in a next session of parliament creating independent  and autonomous nuclear regulatory authority of India that would subsume the existing Atomic Energy Regularity Board (AERB)

The AERB has criticized for being administratively sub-ordinate to the Atomic energy establishment whose operations it is meant to regulate. The decision to clear decks for setting up two 1650 Mwe reactors at Jaithapur was taken a meeting convened in Delhi here by Prime Minister MR. Manmohn Singh. It was attended by Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan, minister for state in prime minister office V.Narayana Swamy and minister of state environment and forests Jairam Ramesh. Among those who briefed prime minister were S. Benerji secretary department of Atomic Energy S.K. Jain nuclear power corporation of India will operate plant at Jaithapur and national security ad-visor Shiva Shankar Me non.

The meeting also decided to make public the initial results of six safety review committee set up after Fukushima accident as also action taken on previous safety reviews . The government will invite the operational review safety review team of international atomic energy authority to assist in its own safety reviews and audit. All reactors and technologies whether indigenous or imported, will without exception, meet safety standards that are stipulated by regulatory authorities and will be complete transparency in the functioning of nuclear power program MR. Ramesh said.

The meeting reiterated that India’s nuclear energy needs were vast and growing and nuclear energy was an important clean energy option which would be perused with full regard to safety, lively hood and security of people. “ government inaction is to ensure nuclear power that is safe, secure and economical. While imported reactors have their place, indigenous  designed and reactors will continue to be at very foundation of country’s nuclear program Mr.Narayana swami said.

Environmental approval for Jaithapur power park was accorded in November 2010 with 35 pre conditions. The prime minister was informed that each of the conditions would be adhered to in a fully transparent manner . A comprehensive environmental impact assessment of two reactors would be done when both become operational in 2019. An official release said Dr. Singh under scored that safety of nuclear power plants was a matter of highest priority and there was need for improving public communication and out reach on the part of department of Atomic Energy and nuclear power corporation of India limited.