Hyderabad, July 07: Speakers at a public consultation on the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Bill 2010 held here today pilloried the Union government for learning nothing from the Bhopal gas tregady. They described as a sellout the Bill’s provision to impose a ceiling on the compensation payable by foreign nuclear suppliers in the eventuality of a nuclear accident.
The programme was jointly organised by NGOs National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM) and Greenpeace India to elicit contrarian views on the controversial Bill.
Panelists also said the biggest lacuna in the Bill was that it secures nothing for the country on a vital concern: safety of nuclear reactors.
“Though compensation to victims or liability of foreign companies should be thoroughly discussed, the government should not forget safety, which is of prime importance. If we can ensure safety, there is less need to worry about the rest,” said Surendra Gadekar, well-known anti-nuclear activist and former faculty member of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore. He wanted the Central government to scrap the Bill as it will meet only 5 per cent of the country’s projected energy needs by 2030 despite spending crores of rupees, putting the lives and property of citizens in danger.
Osmania University faculty member Chenna Basavaiah tore into the provision to cap at $ 450 million the maximum compensation amount payable in case of a nuclear accident.
“Where is the need to mention in the Bill the maximum liability to foreign suppliers unless the Centre wants to protect them? In the event of a tragedy, tax payers will have to cough up the compensation while foreign companies will go scot free,” he said.
He added that foreign nuclear companies have seen their market dry up in the US, UK and France because no new plants have been set up there in 20-30 years, and therefore, India was a plum market. And it is with an eye on securing these companies’ interests that the US and other developed nations are insisting that India pass the Nuclear Civil Liability Bill.
Dr Satyalaxmi, a researcher on cumulative radiation-related issues, said New Delhi’s resolve to pass the Bill confirms fears that it intends to push it through with minimal public debate. Saraswati Kavula of the NAPM said the Centre only agreed to refer the bill to a parliamentary standing committee aqnd hold public consultations only after severe criticism from the Opposition, NGOs and experts. “It should be noted that public consultations are being conducted only in New Delhi, making it impossible for people living elsewhere to be heard,” she said.
–Agencies