New Delhi: With government appearing to
have allayed most of its concerns over the Civil Nuclear
Liability Bill, the BJP today indicated that it is likely to
support the legislation paving the way for smooth sailing of
the controversial measure in Parliament.
Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee`s meeting with BJP top
brass L K Advani, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma
Swaraj, her counterpart in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley today
ended on a positive note with both sides reaching a consensus
on most issues in the draft bill.
BJP sources said the "body language" of Mukherjee
appeared positive and the government reportedly assured the
main Opposition that "four-five" of their main concerns were
being taken care of.
The right-wing party had opposed the Rs 500 crore cap on
compensation terming it too less and also the no-fault
liability provision. It demanded more powers to the Claims
Commissioner to prevent multiple counters for appeal besides
fixing of some liability for the supplier among others.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and
Technology met this afternoon to take a final view on the
report on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damages Bill 2010.
With BJP and the UPA regime arriving at a broad
understanding on the issue, the idea of a giving a dissent
note with the report has been dropped, sources said.
The government is keen on passage of the Bill in Lok
Sabha in the on-going monsoon session of Parliament.
BJP sources said if its concerns are met as promised by
the government today, then it is likely to support the Bill in
Lok Sabha. This would isolate the Left parties which are still
opposed to the Bill.
If the BJP stands with the government on the proposed
nuclear legislation, the Congress-led regime would not need
the support of BSP, SP and RJD.
PTI
