'Nuke deal not to impinge on domestic nuclear R

Chidambaram (Tamil Nadu), Jan 4: Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Anil Kakodkar today asserted that the Indo-US nuclear deal would not be allowed to impinge on the country's nuclear Research and Development programme.

''There is a concern that the nuclear deal would come in the way of India's nuclear R&D programme... But we should negotiate and make sure this does not happen,'' Dr Kakodkar told reporters after making his presentation on nuclear power at the ongoing 94th Indian Science Congress here.

Replying to a question, he said the domestic programme was independent of the deal and would go on.

''Any external help or additionality to help in meeting India's energy requirements was welcome. However, we should maintain autonomy of our domestic R&D,'' he said.

Dr Kakodkar, who is also Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy, said the deal was not through yet. The 123 agreement was yet to be signed, he added.

Earlier, making his presentation on 'Role of Nuclear Power in India: Product Mix', Dr Kakodkar said to sustain an 8-10 per cent GDP growth, energy security should be the major concern. '' But India being an energy-defficient country it would always remain short of 25-30 per cent of its energy requirements.'' To meet the shortage, the country import energy resources, he said.

He, however, added that it cannot increase its economic growth on the basis of large-scale import of energy resources and energy technology.

''Indigenious development of technology based on domestic fuel resources should be a priority. We should pursue R&D at all cost,'' he said.

He said India needed to sustain the tempo of domestic R&D without any external safeguards or hinderances.

''India should setup exploration efforts. It might find good quality uranium,'' he added.

UNI