President Murmu Endorses SHANTI Bill to Propel Nuclear Energy Expansion

Post by : Mara Rahim

President Droupadi Murmu has officially endorsed the SHANTI Bill, which was passed in Parliament during the recent Winter Session. This pivotal decision signifies a significant advancement in India’s civil nuclear energy sector.

The SHANTI Bill, fully termed as the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India, supersedes older regulations including the Atomic Energy Act of 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act of 2010. These previous laws had imposed limitations on the progression of India’s nuclear industry.

With the implementation of this new legislation, private entities and joint ventures are now permitted to construct, own, manage, and decommission nuclear power facilities, provided they secure a government license. This development signifies a move towards increased private involvement, bolstering India’s nuclear infrastructure.

Nonetheless, crucial operations such as uranium and thorium mining, enrichment processes, isotopic separation, spent fuel reprocessing, high-level radioactive waste management, and heavy water production will remain under the strict oversight of the central government and state-owned enterprises.

The SHANTI Bill’s goal is to modernize India’s civil nuclear framework, promote private investment, and enhance energy output while ensuring safety and maintaining government control over essential nuclear functions. The reform is poised to strengthen India’s energy security and foster sustainable development in the years ahead.