Finally, Lok Sabha passes the Nuclear Liability Bill

M.today

New Delhi, August 25:  After months of complicated negotiation and considerable last-minute drama, the Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Nuclear Liability Bill, backed by a political compromise between the government and the Opposition. The Bill was tabled in the House today after hectic parleys between the government and the Opposition.

The government agreed to amendments moved by the BJP and the Left regarding Clause 17 (B) which deals with the liability of a supplier. The Opposition wanted the word "intent" to be dropped from the clause - it meant suppliers would be liable for an accident only if it could be proved that they had the intent to cause damage.

"I categorically state that this Bill is a completion of journey to end the nuclear apartheid which the world had imposed on India," said the Prime Minister. "To say that this has been brought to promote American interests, to promote American corporations, I think, this is far from the truth," added Dr Manmohan Singh. He said he had faced similar charges in 1992 when he presented the Budget as then Finance Minister.

Even as it agreed to support the Bill with its revised wording, the BJP, during the debate in Parliament, accused the government of rushing the Bill through in time for President Barack Obama’s visit to India in November.

Why are you hustling the Committee, Parliament and the issue?" asked BJP leader Jaswant Singh. He also accused the government of a "sleight of hand" for attempting to change the language of the Bill to help suppliers. "Give us more candour," he added.

The Prime Minister, who, in the past, has staked his government on the nuclear deal, denied American pressure to provide favourable conditions for suppliers - an accusation made repeatedly by the Left.

The Bill means a huge step forward for nuclear commerce in India. But the Russians have strongly opposed the same Bill. In an agreement signed with Moscow in 2008, India agreed to zero liability for suppliers for 6 nuclear power plants in Kudankolum in Tamil Nadu. Future projects, though, will be governed by the terms of the new Bill.