SHANTI Bill, 2025
The Lok Sabha passed the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, despite opposition demands for further scrutiny. The Bill now awaits discussion in the Rajya Sabha before becoming law.
Key Discussions and Concerns
- Congress MP Manish Tewari raised concerns about the timing of the Bill relating to private sector participation in the nuclear sector, coinciding with interest from conglomerates like Adani.
- The Bill proposes removing a clause that held suppliers liable in nuclear accidents, potentially affecting foreign participation.
- Opposition questioned the liability cap of ₹3,000 crore, citing high costs of past nuclear disasters like Fukushima and Chernobyl.
Government Response and Justification
- Union MoS argued that technological advancements and a shift in risk scenarios justify the Bill's provisions.
- The government aims to attract foreign investment and modernize India's nuclear sector, which currently accounts for 1.5% of installed power capacity.
- Proposed measures include a nuclear insurance pool and a Nuclear Liability Fund to cover potential liabilities beyond ₹3,000 crore.
Strategic Goals
- The government plans to increase nuclear power capacity from 8.8 GW to 100 GW by 2047.
- This is part of India's strategy to enhance clean energy production and achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2070.
- The initiative includes developing small modular reactors and customized reactors with significant budget allocations.
