International cooperation without impinging autonomy-Kakodkar

Mumbai, Aug 4: Dr Anil Kakodkar, Chairman Atomic Energy Commission and secretary Department of Atomic Energy today said that India will go for international cooperation without impinging autonomy for the nuclear power.

''If there is any opportunity of international cooperation without impinging autonomy, without obstructing three stage programme, we will go for such arrangements, but our self reliance should not be diluted in the process'', said Dr Kakodkar while speaking at the ceremony to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Apsara the first nuclear research reactor at Bhabha Atomic research centre here.

It may be recalled that on August 4, 1956 the APSARA reactor attained criticality, Dr Kakodkar said adding that in the scenario to produce more nuclear power, it was better to have such arrangements.

''We have ability to carry out research and development in the nuclear power and there is no stopping of nuclear programme and in meeting the needs of national energy security in India'', he added.

Describing Apsara as the first symbol of self reliance, he said,''self reliance is the motto our life''.

Dr Kakodkar said from the present nuclear power generation of 4500 MW, soon it would reach to 10,000 MW and by 2020, 20,000 MW nuclear power generation would be the target.

He stressed the need for searching more uranium and added,''if we do not search uranium right now, our uranium stock will be over''.

However he further said with the help of advanced science and technology, more uranium could be explored soon.

''The country has ambitious energy technical development programme based on research and development'', said Dr Kakodkar and added that that there was increasing demand of power and will have to cope up with it.

- Later replying to a query as where India would stand as far its nuclear power is concerned in 2056, Dr Kakodkar said,''India is a great fountaineer of knowledge and our nuclear programme will improve further with large human resources and science and technology and by 2056 it would be a big leap for India'' Director BARC Dr S Banerjee told reporters that Apsara was the first nuclear reactor to complete 50 years in whole Asia.

Replying to a query about security in BARC, the director said that there was perimeter and layered security in BARC and all was maintained properly.

A commemorative booklet on Apsara was released on the occasion by Chairman of Atomic Energy Regularatory Board S K Sharma.

Mr S K Jain, CMD Nuclear Power Corporation India ltd, Mr S C Hiremath, Chief engineer Heavy water board, Mr R Gupta, CMD uranium Corporation India ltd and R N Jayraj Chief Engineer Nuclear Fuel complex also spoke on the occasion.

UNI