Race is hotting up for the post of chairman of Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) as the incumbent Srikumar Banerjee retires on April 30. Ratan Kumar Sinha, director, Bhabha Atomic Energy Centre (BARC), Dr Ravi Grover,director, strategic planning group, Department of Atomic Energy and SK Jain, chairman and managing director Nuclear Power Corporation (NPC) are the frontrunners for the post of AEC chairman who also wears the hat of the DAE Secretary.
Nuclear scientists say it is to be seen whether the government breaks the tradition of elevating BARC chairman to the post of AEC chairman and select Grover or Jain for the post. They recalled that in the past the central government had appointed MR Srinivasan, who was then the chairman and managing director of NPC,as the AEC chairman.
Similarly, the government has also initiated exercise to select the successor of Jain whose term completes on May 31. SA Bhardwaj, NPC director (technical), G Nageswara Rao, director (operations) and KC Purohit, director (projects) are in the fray. Bhardwaj, who has been given two years extension by the government last year, may face procedural roadblock as person on extension are generally not considered for crucial post of AEC chairman. The government may have to chose from Rao and Purohit for the post of chairman and managing director NPC which is currently involved in increasing the nuclear capacity to 63,000 MW by 2032.
The appointment for two government agencies comes at a time when there has been rising opposition for existing and upcoming nuclear projects.
Sources at the DAE told Business Standard "The three shortlisted for AEC chairman's post are quite eminent nuclear scientists globally. As per the government guielines the contender can assume the AEC chairman's post up to 66 years. Sinha, who is curently 61 years old, if appointed, can get a five year term. On the other hand, Grover and Jain, who are 64 years, can get two years."
Sinha, who took over as BARC director in May 2010, during his tenure played a crucial role to load the first batch of indigenously developed thin film composite reverse osmosis membranes in the Nuclear Desalination Demonstration Project (NDDP), replacing the imported elements. Further, Sinha pursued the programme for the development of manufacturing technologies for advanced fuels for fast breeder reactors (FBRs) and also to undertake experimental programme of Nanofluids.
Simikarlky, Grover, is one half of the Kakodkar-Grover duo who are chiefly responsible for the success of the Indo-US negotiations that culminated in the 123 agreement signed in July 2007. Kakodkar and Grover were the technical advisors to the UPA government during negotiations that that led to the Indo-US nuclear agreement. Besides, Grover was also the engaged in the formulation of Civil Nuclear Liability Bill and Rules which are currently in place.
As far as Jain is concerned, he was instrumental in expediting the indigenous and foreign reactor based nuclear capacity addition while taking its opponents on board. After Fukushima nuclear accident took place in March 2011, Jain appointed six separate task forces to prepare reports suggesting upgradation of nuclear safety measures. Jain was also instrumental for the revival of 2,000 MW Kudankulam project in Tamil Nadu and also launch the development of 9,900 MW Jaitapur nuclear project in Maharashtra.
