CPM concerned NSG decision on clean waiver to India

CPI(M) leader Basudeb Acharia alleges PM of misleading the nation.

PTI | August 11, 2011



Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has "misled" the nation on issue of clean waiver for import of enrichment and reprocessing (ENR) technology, CPI(M) charged in the Lok Sabha on Thursday.

The latest decision of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) went against his assurances in Parliament that India would get a clean waiver for import of ENR technology and equipment, CPI(M) leader Basudeb Acharia said demanding a statement from the Prime Minister on the issue.

"We were then told a number of times, the Prime Minister time and again assured the House that the waiver granted by the US was 'full and complete'. But the US has clearly barred enrichment and reprocessing (ENR) technology transfer to India", he said.

Raising the matter during Zero Hour, he said the UPA-I had earlier claimed that the waiver would enable India to access such technology and equipment from other countries. "Now the latest decision of NSG shows that India cannot access this technology. Parliament and the nation was misled by the Prime Minister when he said that India has got a clean waiver. It was not a clean waiver and the US never committed to export such technology (to India). The government's claim then was not based on facts. The Prime Minister should explain," Acharia said.

Pointing out that the Nuclear Liability Act was enacted several months ago, he said the government was yet to notify the rules. "Why is the delay?", he asked.

Claiming that US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during her recent visit had "pressurised" the government to further amend this law, Acharia said this was being done because "private nuclear equipment manufacturers of the US will be at a disadvantageous position".

The CPI(M) leader demanded immediate notification of the rules of the Nuclear Liability Act.

Without ENR technology, India would not be able to reach the third phase of nuclear technology development which would enable it to use Thorium, which is abundantly available in India, Acharia said.

His party colleague Prof Saidul Haque demanded immediate stoppage of the Jaitapur nuclear power project, saying it would cause "unimaginable damage" to the local populace and biodiversity.

"The project is being pushed on political considerations to strengthen the Indo-US Nuclear deal, which goes against Indian interests," he said.

Claiming that there were moves to amend the Nuclear Energy Act, he said this would enable "forcible" acquisition of land for such projects.

Haque said the government should take lessons from the experience of the recent quake and tsunami that hit the nuclear plant at Fukushima in Japan and stop the Jaitapur nuclear project.

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