M A I N   N E W S

Govt tweaks nuke Bill, gets BJP backing
Faraz Ahmad/TNS

New Delhi, August 17
Taking the BJP on board by addressing most of its concerns, including enhancing the operator liability in the event of an accident from Rs 500 crore to Rs 1,500 crore, over the Civil Nuclear Liability Bill 2010, the UPA government may try to secure its passage in the current monsoon session of Parliament, and apparently by next week.

The Standing Committee on Science and Technology — headed by T Subarami Reddy — which finalised its report on the Bill, would be tabled in Parliament tomorrow.

Arun Jaitley, the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, maintained, “If its (Bill’s) base shape changes and is what we sought, then we will think what we have to do.” In fact, SS Ahluwalia, the BJP member in the Standing Committee, was more candid: “They (UPA) have incorporated all our suggestions in the report and there is no reason not to support the Bill.”

The Left, however, remained adamant and may continue to oppose it. However, the Union government may push for its early passage.