Rajya Sabha passes Atomic Energy Amendment Bill

The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday passed without debate the Atomic Energy Amendment Bill, permitting the formation of joint ventures between the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. (NPCIL) and other government companies.

According to the object and reasons of the bill, it seeks to amend to change the definition of "government company" in the 1962 Atomic Energy Act to expand its scope by including such joint venture companies as may be formed between NPCIL and other public sector undertakings.

The amendments expand this definition to include companies where the whole of the paid up share capital is held by one or more government company and whose articles of association empower the central government to constitute its board of directors.

The bill was passed by the Lok Sabha by voice vote on December 14.

The amendments to the bill state that a license for production and development of atomic energy or research will only be granted to entities such as a government company or a department of the central government.