M A I N   N E W S

Global nuke centre to come up at Jhajjar
Will work on secure, proliferation-resistant reactor systems
Tribune News Service

Addressing a joint press conference here today with Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) Dr Sri Kumar Banerjee said the centre would be set up with the assistance of France, Russia and the USA for research and development of secure and proliferation-resistant reactor systems.

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The assistance of England might also be taken for this project, he said. As part of India’s efforts to promote non-proliferation, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had announced the setting up of Nuclear Security Summit in April this year at Washington.

An MoU on cooperation in building the centre was signed by Dr Banerjee, the then Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy, and Timothy Roemer, US Ambassador to India, on the sidelines of the talks between US President Barack Obama and Manmohan Singh.

Banerjee said the centre would facilitate discussions among international experts on various issues, including innovation in nuclear reactors and the nuclear fuel cycle, development of proliferation-resistant reactors, security technologies and the effects of radiation exposure.

The centre would also host short-term training courses for international nuclear experts in the field of nuclear security. Hooda said there would be no nuclear reactor at the site and the AEC had today issued a cheque for Rs 67 crore for about 200 acres of panchayat land.

Banerjee said the centre would consist of four schools dealing with advanced nuclear energy system studies, nuclear security, radiation safety and application of radioisotopes and radiation technology in healthcare, agriculture and food.

During his presentation before the state authorities, Banerjee said the centre would be home to research by Indian and visiting international scientists, would train participants, hold international seminars, workshops and group discussions and conduct courses in association with interested countries and the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Rohtak MP Deepender Singh Hooda requested Banerjee to provide some facilities and employment to the people of two villages where the centre would be set up as part of corporate social responsibility. Banerjee agreed to a medical centre, an ITI, a desalination facility and jobs on Class-III and Class-IV posts to the local people.