CPI(M) expresses dissatisfaction over N-bill

New Delhi, Aug 20: Despite the government's compliance to Opposition's demands seeking the removal of the word 'and' in the Civil Nuclear Liability Bill, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has expressed dissatisfaction over the bill.

“The word 'and" should not have been there at the first place. But now the government has changed it. That is good. Our demands have been partially met. But we have other concerns (on the bill)," CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Sitaram Yechury said on Friday, Au 20.

Stressing that that there should not be any sealing on the liability in case of a nuclear accident, the senior Left leader added, "You can set a minimum on liability as many other countries have done."

Arguing that a nuclear accident would be much more devastating than the Bhopal gas disaster, which is the worst industrial disaster that the country has suffered so far, the Left Front has been protesting against the cap of Rs 1,500 crore on the liability of a nuclear plant operator terming it “hardly significant".

There should not be any ambiguity on India joining any conventions dealing with liability, Mr Yechury said further.

In the morning, the Union Cabinet gave its nod to the Civil Liability for Nuclear Bill after the government agreed to omit the word 'and', which connected two sub-clauses of Clause 17 of the draft legislation.

OneIndia News