New Delhi: Amid strong objections from the opposition, the Union government on Monday introduced a landmark Bill in the Lok Sabha aimed at allowing private sector participation in India’s nuclear energy programme, a move the ruling dispensation argues is crucial for energy security, climate goals and long-term economic growth.
The Bill, formally titled “Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for India (SHAANTI) Bill, 2025,” was introduced during the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament by Minister of State for Atomic Energy Dr Jitendra Singh.
The legislation seeks to overhaul India’s nuclear framework by repealing the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010, replacing them with a new, consolidated regime.
What the Bill Proposes
According to the government, the Bill has two central objectives:
- Creating a practical and balanced civil liability framework for nuclear damage, which would clarify responsibilities in case of accidents and align India with global nuclear norms.
- Granting statutory status to the Nuclear Energy Regulatory Board, thereby strengthening independent regulation, safety oversight, and transparency in the sector.
The government maintains that the existing laws, framed in a very different global and technological context, have discouraged investment and slowed nuclear expansion.
By reforming the liability regime and modernising regulation, the Bill aims to unlock both domestic and foreign investment in nuclear power generation.
Opposition’s Concerns
The introduction of the Bill triggered protests from opposition parties, particularly the Congress, the Trinamool Congress (TMC), and the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP).
Congress MP Manish Tewari strongly objected to the Bill’s introduction, arguing that it grants the Centre “unchecked powers” in matters of licensing, regulation, acquisition, and tariff-setting within private contracts.
He warned that permitting private players into what he described as an “inherently hazardous” sector, while simultaneously limiting liability and judicial remedies, could dilute accountability.
Tewari further contended that curtailing legal recourse and granting statutory exemptions violates Article 21 (Right to Life) and Article 48A (Protection of Environment) of the Constitution, raising serious concerns about public safety and environmental protection.
RSP’s N.K. Premachandran and TMC MP Sougata Roy also opposed the Bill, echoing fears that it would tilt the balance of power in favour of private corporations at the cost of public interest.
Government’s Defence of the Bill
Responding to the criticism, Dr Jitendra Singh clarified that most objections raised by the opposition pertain to the merits and demerits of the Bill, which can be thoroughly debated when the legislation is taken up for discussion.
He emphasised that Monday’s proceedings were only about introducing the Bill, not passing it.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju reinforced this point, stating that the House was not voting on the Bill and that ample opportunity would be provided for scrutiny and debate.
Dr Singh also placed the Bill in historical context, reminding the House that the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, was introduced when Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was Prime Minister, and that the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act was passed during Dr Manmohan Singh’s tenure.
He argued that India’s nuclear policy has always evolved, reflecting changing national priorities and technological realities.
Why the Government Says the Bill Benefits India
The ruling party argues that opening nuclear energy to private participation is essential for several reasons:
- Energy Security: Nuclear power provides stable, base-load electricity, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and volatile energy imports.
- Climate Commitments: Nuclear energy is a low-carbon source, critical for meeting India’s net-zero targets and reducing emissions.
- Technology and Capital Infusion: Private participation can bring advanced technology, efficiency, and much-needed capital to expand nuclear capacity faster.
- Global Alignment: A reformed liability framework would align India with international nuclear conventions, encouraging global cooperation and partnerships.
- Job Creation and Industrial Growth: Expansion of nuclear infrastructure could generate high-skilled employment and boost ancillary industries.
The government insists that regulatory oversight will remain strong and that national security and safety concerns will continue to be safeguarded through a robust statutory regulator.
Other Legislative Business
Earlier in the day, after two adjournments, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced the Repeal and Amendment Bill, 2025, which proposes scrapping 71 obsolete laws that have outlived their utility.
Of these, 65 relate to amendments of principal Acts, while six are standalone laws, part of the government’s broader push to declutter India’s statute books.
As the SHAANTI Bill moves forward, it is expected to face intense scrutiny in Parliament, with debates likely to focus on safety, accountability, constitutional safeguards, and the appropriate role of private players in a strategically sensitive sector.
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