Parliament approves Nuclear Bill; SOP puts safety first, says MoS, Pg5

Key Highlights:

• The SHANTI Bill, 2025, aimed at opening the nuclear power sector to private players, was passed by the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.
• The Lok Sabha had already passed the Bill on Wednesday.
• The Bill limits the liability of suppliers in case of a nuclear accident.
• The Union MoS for Atomic Energy, Jitendra Singh, assured that safety protocols remain the same as in the Atomic Energy Act of 1962.
• The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board will have statutory power under the new Bill.

Detailed Insights:

• The SHANTI Bill aims to encourage private sector participation in the nuclear power sector, with the government retaining custody of source material, fissile material, and spent fuel.
• Concerns were raised by some members of parliament regarding the potential reduction of government oversight and the prioritization of private interests over public safety.
• The government stated that graded liability provisions in the Bill would enable smaller players to invest in small modular nuclear reactors.
• The existing Atomic Energy Regulatory Board is given statutory power under the Bill.
• The Bill maintains that source material, fissile material, and spent fuel will remain in government custody.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Fissile Material: Material capable of sustaining a nuclear fission chain reaction.
• Small Modular Reactors (SMRs): Nuclear fission reactors that are smaller than conventional reactors and can be factory-fabricated.
• Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB): The regulatory body in India responsible for nuclear and radiation safety.