New Delhi: The Government has yielded some ground to the Opposition's demands on changes in the Nuclear Civil Liability Bill and managed to rope in the support of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Following the changes compensation cap will be increased from Rs 500 to Rs 1,500 crore and the zero liability clause has been amended, which was a key demand by the BJP and Left Front.
The Standing Committee report on the Nuclear Civil Liability Bill is likely to be tabled in Parliament on Wednesday. The Government wants the Bill passed before US President Barack Obama's visit in November 2010.
The committee has also reached a consensus to recommend an increase in the cap on damages. In the revised draft, the compensation cap stands increased which is a key demand across the political parties.
Chairman for the standing Committee on the Nuclear deal, Subbirami Reddy said that all the contentious issues have been addressed in the bill.
"The compensation cap will be increased. There will be supplier liability which is very clearly mentioned in the bill. All the contentious issues have been addressed. I am hoping there will be complete consensus," said Reddy.
"Everybody's views have been taken. Tomorrow the Bill will be submitted in the House," said Reddy.
BJP claimed that all its concerns have been taken care of.
"We had certain concerns. Finally our demand was accepted. What had happened in Bhopal gas tragedy should be not repeated," said BJP leader SS Ahluwalia.
The Government will also not mention the Convention on Supplementary Compensation in the Bill -- an international liability regime which helps member nations tap a common fund in the event of a nuclear accident. Sources indicate that joining the convention or otherwise is an executive decision and need not be mentioned in the Bill.
Sources also add that the clause referring to liability will say and the supplier liability will be as per its bilateral agreement with the operator. The preamble mentions that it will be a 'no fault liability regime' which means that it doesn't matter what fault caused the accident. The compensation will be paid as per the decision of the claims commissioner. Sources also say that if the Opposition wants then Government willing to add it in the body of the Bill.
The Standing Committee has also recommended inclusion of 'defective equipment' in Clause 17(B) which provides for liability in case of a nuclear accident, say sources.
But the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) has given a dissent note demanding that the compensation cap be increased to Rs 10,000 crore.
The Congress also called for arriving at a consensus on the Nuclear Liability Bill soon and passing of the legislation by Parliament, as it was required for inviting investments in the sector.
Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari told reporters in New Delhi that passing of the legislation was imperative for investors to come into the sector that would benefit the country and called for all parties to arrive at a consensus soon on the issue.
"I am sure the Opposition parties would have conveyed their reservations and suggestions to the Parliamentary standing committee that went into the legislation. It is a must that consensus is achieved soon and Bill passed in Parliament," he added.
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