CPI(M) said that the recently notified rules on nuclear liability could become operational in a fortnight if not vetted by a parliamentary committee, which is yet to be constituted.
Accusing the government of trying to appease US companies, CPI(M) today said that the recently notified rules on nuclear liability could become operational in a fortnight if not vetted by a parliamentary committee, which is yet to be constituted.
"While we consider that the Rules (notified on November 16) have diluted the liability provisions for foreign nuclear suppliers, these rules can be amended only within 30 days by Parliamentary Committee on Subordinate Legislation. But this committee has not been reconstituted as yet by the Speaker after its term ended on August 31," CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury told reporters here.
"Only some more days are left for these 30 days to be over for these rules to be challenged or changed by this committee," he said, adding that the Rules for Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act were notified a day ahead of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's meeting with US President Barack Obama in Bali.
"This is a very serious matter... very serious manipulation. This is a way of manipulating our parliamentary process to appease the US and American companies. It is a very dangerous trend," Yechury said.
"This is a very dangerous game that is being played. Don't tinker with our parliamentary system to appease the US," Yechury warned.
Asked whether the delay in reconstituting the committee was intentional or whether there could be some pressure" on government, Yechury said, "It is for them (government) to answer whether it is intentional or otherwise."
Elaborating on the CPI(M)'s opposition to the notified rules, he said among many other issues, the rules have limited the liability (of any accident) due to manufacturing or design of the nuclear equipment to only five years. But experience shows that defects or injuries actually surface only after five years.
"Such measures would give a free run to the suppliers of nuclear equipment which is what the American companies want," Yechury said.
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