New Delhi: Examination of the controversial
nuclear liability bill enters the final lap tomorrow as the
Parliamentary panel seeks expert opinion and begins clause-by-
clause analysis of the draft legislation.
A two-day sitting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee
on Science and Technology, Environment and Forests is expected
to hear the views of experts like former Atomic Energy
Commission Chairman P K Iyengar, strategist Brahma Chellaney,
former diplomat Kanwal Sibal and legal expert Shams Khwaja.
After hearing the experts` view, the Committee will take
up clause-by-clause analysis of the Civil Liability for
Nuclear Damages Bill, 2010 which was introduced in the Lok
Sabha on May 7 amid stiff opposition.
The committee is expected to submit its report in time
for the bill to be taken up for consideration during the
month-long Monsoon Session of Parliament beginning July 26.
Meanwhile, the Rajya Sabha Secretariat has announced
extension of the term of the committee till July 27.
The bill is a key piece of legislation required to
operationalise the civil nuclear cooperation pacts India has
signed with several countries, particularly the US.
Several parties have opposed the bill in its present form
contending that the Rs 500 crore cap on liability to be paid
by the operator of a nuclear plant was too little.
PTI
