Nuke liability bill to be introduced in LS today

The government is likely to introduce the contentious Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Bill, 2010, in the Lok Sabha with an intent to send it to the parliament standing committee on Friday—the last day of the Budget session. The bill is listed in the schedule of business for the Lower House for Friday. The government was earlier forced to defer the controversial bill as it did not have the requisite number to see its introduction in the Lok Sabha on March 15 when the opposition had united against it. The bill is key to the implementation of the civil nuclear cooperation initiatives India has entered into with several countries, including the US. The bill pegs the maximum amount of liability in case of each nuclear accident at Rs 500 crore to be paid by the plant operator. It has provisions for civil liability for nuclear damage, appointment of the claims commissioner and establishment of the nuclear damage claims commission.