Obama hopes for smooth passage of N-Liability Bill

Washington, Apr 12: Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao said that the US President Barack Obama has expressed hope that the Civil Nuclear Liability Bill will be concluded expeditiously as possible.

The controversial nuclear bill which received severe opposition in the Parliament was reportedly taken up during Obama's talk with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday, Apr 11.

“The President did refer to the pending Civil Nuclear Liability Bill and expressed the hope that this could be concluded as expeditiously as possible," Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao told journalists in her briefing on the talks.

Singh informed Obama that the Bill, which is a crucial step in the implementation of the Indo-U S nuclear deal, was undergoing democratic processes.

The Bill faced severe objection in the parliament, as the Opposition parties expressed displeasure on certain provisions in it, including the use of word 'cap" for Rs. 500 crore compensation to be paid by the operator in the case of a nuclear accident.

The government which expressed willingness to make changes, is likley to present it before the Parliament in the second part of the Budget Session starting Thursday, Apr 15.

OneIndia News