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Russia seeks waiver from nuclear liability law; PM asks Law Ministry; Greenpeace: already answered
http://www.omantribune.com/index.php?page=news&id=125070&heading=India
Russia seeks waiver from nuclear liability law
With Russia seeking exemption from Nuclear Liability Law for Kudankulam nuclear plants 3 and 4, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has sought legal opinion on the issue as any waiver could lead to more such demands.
Singh, who is the minister in-charge of the department of atomic energy (DAE), has asked the law ministry whether the two new units to be constructed by Russia at Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu can be kept out of the purview of the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act passed by Parliament in 2010. The law ministry is set to refer the matter to Attorney-General GE Vahanvati considering the apprehension that if waiver is granted to Russia, similar demands could come from other countries.
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Russia seeks waiver from nuclear liability law
With Russia seeking exemption from Nuclear Liability Law for Kudankulam nuclear plants 3 and 4, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has sought legal opinion on the issue as any waiver could lead to more such demands.
Singh, who is the minister in-charge of the department of atomic energy (DAE), has asked the law ministry whether the two new units to be constructed by Russia at Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu can be kept out of the purview of the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act passed by Parliament in 2010. The law ministry is set to refer the matter to Attorney-General GE Vahanvati considering the apprehension that if waiver is granted to Russia, similar demands could come from other countries.
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http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-08-03/news/33020099_1_nuclear-damage-act-liability-regime-nuclear-liability
PM seeks Law Ministry's view on Russia's demand for waiver on Kudankulam N-plants
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PM seeks Law Ministry's view on Russia's demand for waiver on Kudankulam N-plants
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http://news.oneindia.in/2012/08/03/pm-throws-a-spanner-in-the-works-on-kudankulam-issue-1047125.html
PM throws a spanner in the works on Kudankulam N-plant issue
New Delhi, Aug 3: The Kudankulam nuclear plant have had a fair share of controversies surrounding it. From protests, violent agitations and political posturing, the Kudankulam agitation has seen it all. But the latest comment by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has raised eyebrows once again.
PM sought to know from the Department of Atomic Energy on who will be responsible to pay damages in case of a mishap in the plant. The PM who also holds the additional responsibility as the Minister for Atomic Energy questioned the department's decision to exercise the right to recourse, especially units 3 and 4 in the event of any mishap in the plant.
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The Department of Atomic Energy has maintained that the Nuclear Power Corporation need not be concerned on this issue since there is a provision in the international agreement with Russia on right to recourse, but there exists no such provision in agreements with the US and French governments.
The PM unconvinced of this explanation has sought clarification from the Ministry of External Affairs and the Law Ministry on whether international obligations stand beyond the country's Nuclear Liability Bill.
PM throws a spanner in the works on Kudankulam N-plant issue
New Delhi, Aug 3: The Kudankulam nuclear plant have had a fair share of controversies surrounding it. From protests, violent agitations and political posturing, the Kudankulam agitation has seen it all. But the latest comment by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has raised eyebrows once again.
PM sought to know from the Department of Atomic Energy on who will be responsible to pay damages in case of a mishap in the plant. The PM who also holds the additional responsibility as the Minister for Atomic Energy questioned the department's decision to exercise the right to recourse, especially units 3 and 4 in the event of any mishap in the plant.
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The Department of Atomic Energy has maintained that the Nuclear Power Corporation need not be concerned on this issue since there is a provision in the international agreement with Russia on right to recourse, but there exists no such provision in agreements with the US and French governments.
The PM unconvinced of this explanation has sought clarification from the Ministry of External Affairs and the Law Ministry on whether international obligations stand beyond the country's Nuclear Liability Bill.
http://www.indiablooms.com/NewsDetailsPage/2012/newsDetails040812j.php
PM’s question on supplier liability already answered: Greenpeace
India Blooms News Service
New Delhi, Aug 4 (IBNS): Environmental organization Greenpeace on Saturday Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's question on supplier liability is already answered.
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In an opinion secured by Greenpeace from former Attorney General and Constitutional expert, Soli Sorabjee on the veracity of Rules notified; he was clear that the current rules were ultra vires provisions of the Act related to Supplier Liability.
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Pointing to the discrepancy in response from the Prime Minister, Karuna Raina, campaigner with Greenpeace said, “The foreign suppliers and the powerful foreign lobby - whether they’re the Russian, French or American, have been pushing the Indian Government to dilute the Nuclear Liability Act to let them off the hook in case of any accident. This act of the NPCIL shows that the DAE is not capable of safeguarding the interest of the Indian people. In light of Fukushima, it is unimaginable that the Prime Minister would allow this illegality to take place.”
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“One in twenty Indians today live in the shadow of a nuclear plant. We cannot allow their safety and their right to justice to be snatched away by the real foreign hand. We urge the Prime Minister to do what is right by citizens of India and not for the vested foreign interest,” said Raina.
PM’s question on supplier liability already answered: Greenpeace
India Blooms News Service
New Delhi, Aug 4 (IBNS): Environmental organization Greenpeace on Saturday Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's question on supplier liability is already answered.
<snip>
In an opinion secured by Greenpeace from former Attorney General and Constitutional expert, Soli Sorabjee on the veracity of Rules notified; he was clear that the current rules were ultra vires provisions of the Act related to Supplier Liability.
<snip>
Pointing to the discrepancy in response from the Prime Minister, Karuna Raina, campaigner with Greenpeace said, “The foreign suppliers and the powerful foreign lobby - whether they’re the Russian, French or American, have been pushing the Indian Government to dilute the Nuclear Liability Act to let them off the hook in case of any accident. This act of the NPCIL shows that the DAE is not capable of safeguarding the interest of the Indian people. In light of Fukushima, it is unimaginable that the Prime Minister would allow this illegality to take place.”
<snip>
“One in twenty Indians today live in the shadow of a nuclear plant. We cannot allow their safety and their right to justice to be snatched away by the real foreign hand. We urge the Prime Minister to do what is right by citizens of India and not for the vested foreign interest,” said Raina.
edit to add:
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article3718602.ece
Who pays in case of accident at Kudankulam, asks PM
According to NDTV, the Prime Minister asked the DAE how the provisions of the 2010 Act could be overruled and suggested the matter be referred to the Ministries of Law and Justice and External Affairs.
Activists citing concerns about the fate of local residents in the event of an accident at the Kudankulam nuclear power plant received a boost from an unexpected source with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh questioning the Department of Atomic Energy’s decision to waive its legal right to claim damages against the NPP’s Russian suppliers.
On Thursday, NDTV disclosed that Dr. Singh, who is also the Minister for Atomic Energy, has objected to a request by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. — the operator of the Kudankulam facility — to waive its right to recourse under Section 17 of the Nuclear Liability Act if an accident in the yet-to-be-built units 3 and 4 results from faulty equipment.
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Who pays in case of accident at Kudankulam, asks PM
According to NDTV, the Prime Minister asked the DAE how the provisions of the 2010 Act could be overruled and suggested the matter be referred to the Ministries of Law and Justice and External Affairs.
Activists citing concerns about the fate of local residents in the event of an accident at the Kudankulam nuclear power plant received a boost from an unexpected source with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh questioning the Department of Atomic Energy’s decision to waive its legal right to claim damages against the NPP’s Russian suppliers.
On Thursday, NDTV disclosed that Dr. Singh, who is also the Minister for Atomic Energy, has objected to a request by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. — the operator of the Kudankulam facility — to waive its right to recourse under Section 17 of the Nuclear Liability Act if an accident in the yet-to-be-built units 3 and 4 results from faulty equipment.
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