Diplomatic efforts needed to import more uranium for atomic energy sector, says Parliamentary panel

The Parliament's committee on estimates has recommended that to meet the growing need of uranium for nuclear power plants, diplomatic efforts should be made to explore import of uranium from more countries with whom India has signed intergovernmental agreements (IGA). The committee was examining issues related to uranium import for atomic energy.

The committee noted that currently India largely depends on uranium mines in Jaduguda in Jharkhand for domestic production of uranium. Other domestic reserves are available in Meghalaya, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

The panel observed that despite having IGAs with 17 countries, uranium is currently sourced only from Canada, Kazakhstan, France and Russia. "No uranium has been imported from other leading producers such as Uzbekistan and others for a number of reasons. The committee feels that it is important to have multiple sources of uranium supply to deal with uncertainties about uranium," the committee said.

The government has been asked to respond about steps taken on import of uranium within three months.

The committee recommended that IGAs should also be concluded with other countries for import of fuel, equipment and technology.

At present, Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) operates 22 nuclear power reactors with an installed capacity of 6780MW and another 8 reactors of 6200 MW are under construction at various stages. Another 12 projects with 9,000 MW capacity have been approved.