New Delhi: Determined to go ahead with the
nuclear liability bill, government intends to introduce in
Parliament in the second half of Budget Session that begins on
April 12.
Prior to this, the government intends to reach out to
BJP and Left parties to clear their "misconceptions" over the
proposed legislation which is crucial for operationalisation
of the Indo-US nuclear deal.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will depute Atomic Energy
Commission Chairman Srikumar Banerjee or National Security
Adviser Shivshankar Menon to talk to leaders of BJP and Left
parties during the recess period, sources said here today.
The PM's envoy is expected to meet leaders of opposition
in both Houses Sushma Swaraj (Lok Sabha) and Arun Jaitley
(Rajya Sabha) and CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury.
The envoy could also interact with former Finance
Minister Yashwant Sinha, who had raised serious objections
to the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Bill.
Government was slated to introduce the bill in the Lok
Sabha yesterday but decided against it at the last moment in
view of stiff opposition from Left parties and BJP.
As part of Congress efforts to brace the Opposition
onslaught on the bill, Menon today briefed some senior
party leaders on the benefits of the legislation and the
necessity for bringing it.
The bill, which provides for compensation in the event
of a nuclear mishap and the modalities involved, is being
opposed by Left and BJP as they feel the compensation amount
of Rs 500 crore is not adequate and the foreign suppliers
would be allowed to go scot-free.
-PTI
First Published: Tuesday, March 16, 2010, 22:42