ID :
127287
Fri, 06/11/2010 - 09:04
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https://oananews.org//node/127287
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Govt mulling dropping key clause in N-liability bill
New Delhi, Jun 10 (PTI) The Indian government is
understood to be considering changes in the nuclear liability
bill, including a proposal to drop a crucial clause that would
compel a foreign nuclear supplier to provide for compensation
in case of accidents due to wilful action or gross negligence.
The changes coming against the backdrop of light
sentencing in the Bhopal gas tragedy verdict have already come
under attack from political parties including the Bhartiya
Janta Party and the Left parties which have said it was being
done under American pressure.
The government intention is believed to have been
conveyed during a meeting of the Parliamentary Standing
Committee on Science and Technology on Tuesday by the
Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).
The changes appear to have even caught off guard the
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), which plays a key role in
forging cooperation with the US and other nations for the
government.
Highly placed sources in the MEA said Section 17(b) was
part of the Bill at least till last week and they were not
aware if changes were being mooted by the DAE. However, the
sources maintained that the government would not take away the
liability of the supplier under contractual obligation and
that the interests of the common man would be protected.
This, they claimed, would be ensured in the context of
the Bhopal court verdict that has highlighted the lacunae in
Indian laws in dealing with such industrial disasters and to
provide adequate compensation for the victims.
There was no official word from the government on the
changes except a terse press release from the DAE which
referred to news reports on deletions and modifications in the
Bill.
It merely said the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage
Bill, 2010 was under consideration by a Parliamentary
Committee, which is "examining all aspects".
"The Government's role is limited and will continue to be
restricted to providing inputs in response to queries put to
it by the Committee," the release said. MORE PTI
understood to be considering changes in the nuclear liability
bill, including a proposal to drop a crucial clause that would
compel a foreign nuclear supplier to provide for compensation
in case of accidents due to wilful action or gross negligence.
The changes coming against the backdrop of light
sentencing in the Bhopal gas tragedy verdict have already come
under attack from political parties including the Bhartiya
Janta Party and the Left parties which have said it was being
done under American pressure.
The government intention is believed to have been
conveyed during a meeting of the Parliamentary Standing
Committee on Science and Technology on Tuesday by the
Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).
The changes appear to have even caught off guard the
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), which plays a key role in
forging cooperation with the US and other nations for the
government.
Highly placed sources in the MEA said Section 17(b) was
part of the Bill at least till last week and they were not
aware if changes were being mooted by the DAE. However, the
sources maintained that the government would not take away the
liability of the supplier under contractual obligation and
that the interests of the common man would be protected.
This, they claimed, would be ensured in the context of
the Bhopal court verdict that has highlighted the lacunae in
Indian laws in dealing with such industrial disasters and to
provide adequate compensation for the victims.
There was no official word from the government on the
changes except a terse press release from the DAE which
referred to news reports on deletions and modifications in the
Bill.
It merely said the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage
Bill, 2010 was under consideration by a Parliamentary
Committee, which is "examining all aspects".
"The Government's role is limited and will continue to be
restricted to providing inputs in response to queries put to
it by the Committee," the release said. MORE PTI
