CPI(M) wants govt to stop all new nuclear projects

The CPI(M) today asked the Centre to stop all new nuclear projects immediately and order an independent review of the safety of existing ones in wake of the nuclear crisis in tsunami-hit Japan.

CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat said proposals to import nuclear reactors from France and US should also be dropped.

Given the experience in Japan, which is the most advanced country in nuclear energy, all projects, including the one at Jaitapur in Maharashtra, where a reactor untested anywhere in the world is being installed, must be stopped, he said.

India plans to import a large number of nuclear reactors for which it has entered into agreement with France and was negotiating with the US, Karat said.

Karat also wants the Government to ensure that the Civil Nuclear Liabilities Act, be strictly implemented so that responsibility for any untoward incidents should fall on the suppliers of nuclear reactors and make them accountable.