Still have concerns over nuclear bill: CPI(M)

The CPI(M) today said it still has concerns over the civil nuclear liability bill though the government dropped a controversial addition in a clause bowing to opposition pressure, which it termed was "good".

"The word 'and' should not have been there at the first place. But now the government has changed it. That is good. Our demands have been partially met. But we have other concerns (on the bill)," CPI(M) polit bureau member Sitaram Yechury told reporters.

He said the party was of the view that there should not be any sealing on the liability in case of a nuclear accident.

"You can set a minimum on liability as many other countries have done," he suggested.

Yechury also said there should not be any ambiguity on India joining any conventions dealing with liability.

Left parties had opposed the cap of Rs1,500 crore on the liability of a nuclear plant operator, saying it was "hardly significant", pointing out that a nuclear accident would be much more devastating than the Bhopal gas disaster.

The Cabinet this morning put its stamp of approval on the civil liability for nuclear bill, deciding to omit the word 'and' - connecting two sub-clauses of Clause 17 of the draft legislation.