GOVERNMENT OF DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4623 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2010

REVIEW OF ATOMIC ENERGY ACT

4623. SHRI RAJAIAH SIRICILLA: SHRI HARISH CHANDRA CHAVAN:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government proposes to review the Atomic Energy Act;

(b) if so, the reasons therefor; and

(c) the steps proposed to be taken in the said matter?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PLANNING AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS. (SHRI V. NARAYANASAMY) :

(a) to (c) Yes Sir. The Government is reviewing the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 including for strengthening the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) and for carrying out responsibilities relating to ratification of Convention on Physical Protection of Nuclear Materials (CPPNM). This is under examination in the Department.

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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4627 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2010

ENVIRONMENT CLEARANCE TO POWER PROJECTS

4627. SHRI RAKESH SINGH:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

(a) whether Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. (NPCIL) had submitted a proposal for obtaining environmental clearance of Atomic Power Projects at village Chutka in Madhya Pradesh;

(b) if so, the present status of the project; and

(c) the time by which environmental clearance is likely to be obtained?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PLANNING AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS. (SHRI V. NARAYANASAMY) :

(a) to(c) NPCIL had submitted Terms of Reference (TOR) for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the project at village Chutka in Madhya Pradesh to the Expert Appraisal Committee of the Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoE&F). The committee has advised NPCIL to provide additional details on land use and environmental setting of site. The revised TORs are under finalization. This will be followed by EIA Report by the MoE&F accredited agency, a public hearing and detailed scrutiny by the Expert Advisory Committee before environmental clearance is accorded by MOE&F. The plan is to commence work on the project, after obtaining statutory clearances by MoE&F and Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, in the year 2012.

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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4649 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2010

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ON NUCLEAR POWER STATION

4649. SHRIMATI : SHRI SANJAY DINA PATIL: DR. SANJEEV GANESH NAIK:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has taken note of criticism by the Scientists of Environment Law Alliance Worldwide of Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) report on proposed Nuclear Power Station at Ratnagiri;

(b) if so, the reaction of the Government thereon;

(c) whether the EIA conducted by the Government of the world's largest Nuclear Power Park coming up at Jaitapur in the Ratnagiri district of has been found to suffer from serious lapses;

(d) if so, the other points made in the report; and

(e) the steps taken to remove these lapses?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PLANNING AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS. (SHRI V. NARAYANASAMY) :

(a) to (e) The Environmental Impact Assessment of the project was conducted by National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI). In addition, Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) have submitted a detailed bio-diversity assessment report of the region. The Central Water and Power Research Station has carried out model studies for temperature rise of the cooling water. All objections/ criticisms of the reports have been given due consideration by the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) of the Ministry of Environment & Forest (MoE&F) for strategic projects. MoE&F have after detailed consideration of the reports and the objections thereto have accorded Environmental Clearance for the project subject to certain conditions. This inter alia, include preparation of a comprehensive bio diversity plan, constitution of a monitoring committee, reinforcement of environmental stewardship programme of NPCIL and clearances by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board. The conditions stipulated by MoE&F shall be adhered to.

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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4651 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2010

NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS

4651. SHRI KUNWAR REWATI RAMAN SINGH:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

(a) whether the State Government of Uttar Pradesh has sought setting up of nuclear power plants in the State as it is facing severe power shortage;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the locations identified in U.P. for setting up of nuclear power plants; and

(d) the time by which a nuclear plant is likely to become operational?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PLANNING AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS. (SHRI V. NARAYANASAMY) :

(a)to(d) Two nuclear power reactors (NAPS-1&2) of 220 MW each are in operation at Narora, Uttar Pradesh (UP). In addition UP has share of power from Nuclear Power Stations RAPS units 3 to 6 in Rajasthan. The State Government has requested setting up of nuclear power project in Bundelkhand region of UP. However, proposal for a suitable site for evaluation by the Site Selection Committee is awaited. The site at Narora also has additional potential for setting up additional nuclear power capacity of 1400 MW. Decision regarding setting up new project will be taken in the 12th Five Year Plan period. The completion time of a project is about 6 years.

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CONVENTION ON SUPPLEMENTARY COMPENSATION

4760. SHRI RADHA MOHANSINGH: SHRI ANANTKUMARHEGDE: SHRI PARTAP SINGH BAJWA: SHRI GURUDAS DASGUPTA: SHRIMATI BOTCHA JHANSHI LAKSHMI: SHRI MANISH TEWARI: SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE: SHRI PRABODH PANDA: SHRI BHUDEO CHOUDHARY: SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI: SHRI JAGDISH SHARMA: SHRI R. THAMARAISELVAN: SHRI K.R.G. REDDY:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has signed the International Convention on Supplementary Compensation (CSC) for Nuclear Damages after the enactment of Civil Liability for Nuclear Damages Act,2010;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether any discussion has been held with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in this regard;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether there is any divergence between Civil Liability for Nuclear Damages Act, 2010 and the CSC on suppliers liability;

(f) if so, the facts in this regard; and

(g) the differences and the similarities in both these documents?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PLANNING AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS. (SHRI V. NARAYANASAMY) :

(a) to (d) - Convention on Supplementary Compensation (CSC) was developed under the auspices of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). India has signed the CSC in Vienna on 27th October 2010. The Convention has not yet been ratified by India. Prior to signing, procedural issues were discussed with IAEA.

(e) to (g) - The basic elements of the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damages Act, 2010 are compliant with CSC. Some potential suppliers have however raised certain issues mainly relating to application of right of recourse of the operator as provided in the Act. ******