Twitter
Advertisement

Govt ready to consider changes in Civil Nuclear Liability Bill

Opposition parties like the BJP and Left parties have opposed the bill, saying the cap of Rs500 crore was low.

Latest News
article-main
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

Government is ready to consider changes in the controversial Civil Nuclear Liability Bill including replacing the word 'cap' relating to compensation in case of accidents, which has come under attack from the opposition.
   
Reacting to a suggestion by former solicitor general Soli Sorabjee that the word 'cap' should be replaced with 'norm', sources said this can be done but "in a democratic way".
   
The sources said there were "misapprehensions" on certain counts on the Bill which could be addressed by sending the proposed legislation to the Standing Committee of Parliament.
       
"If some bits need to be improved, including raising the cap, it can be done," they said.
   
Opposition parties like the BJP and Left parties have opposed the bill, saying the cap of Rs500 crore was low.
   
The sources explained that there was no cap on compensation and the Rs500 crore figure mentioned in the bill was for insurance purposes and to ensure immediate liability without the victim having to prove an accident.
       
They said the provision of Rs500 crore as compensation has been incorporated in view of the Bhopal incident. The victims of the Bhopal gas tragedy were not given compensation for many years.
       
"This liability is besides others like criminal liability," they said. Criminal liability takes many years because it has to be established that some thing wrong has been committed.
       
On concerns raised on foreign suppliers being allowed, the sources said there will be a separate contractual agreement between the supplier and operator.
       
They said there is a quick provision of payment of compensation. They also pointed out there was no cap on the total compensation that can be made available to victims.
       
The bill will allow victims to access international funds under the Convention on Supplementary Compensation.
       
It also provides for liability in case of incidents which have trans-border ramifications.

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement