Par panel pulls up DAE for delay in framing rules of CLND Act

The Committee on Subordinate Legislation, chaired by CPI-M leader P Karunakaran, also pulled up the Department on Atomic Energy (DAE) for the 13-month delay in framing the rules of the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage (CLND) Act.

Contending that the CLND Rules dilute the stringent liability provisions of the law by imposing limitations in terms of duration and amount on the operator's right to recourse, the committee recommended suitable amendments.

"The Committee are of the firm view that Rule 24 has inserted limitations not mandated by the CLND Act ... The Committee, therefore, exhort DAE to amend rule 24 suitably to remove the limitations imposed on the liability as well as the duration of the liability period," the report said.

 

Rule 24(2) imposes restrictions in terms of time period during which the liability is applicable -- five years or the product liability period which ever is longer.

The DAE had contended that the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) gave licenses for products for a limited period after which the same has to be renewed to ensure healthy condition of the plant.

The AERB also asks the operator to keep upgrading the plant safety systems in accordance with the new requirements that may emerge due to the operating experience anywhere in the world.

"... It is not desirable to hold the supplier responsible beyond certain initial period. Period of initial license becomes the natural choice for the period for the supplier's liability," the DAE had argued. (MORE)