Lok Sabha Question No. 1056 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-08
Subject: Radioactive Waste Disposal
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: MAUSAM NOOR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO. 1056

TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.02.2017

## RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL

1056.   SHRIMATI MAUSAM NOOR:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has received report citing radioactive slurry being stored in the  open  causing  health  hazards  to  people  residing  in  adjacent  areas  of  uranium mines operated by Uranium Corporation of India Limited in Jamshedpur and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has conducted any formal meeting with representatives of nearby villages and heard their grievances; and
- (c) if so, the details of action taken thereon?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (Dr. JITENDRA SINGH) :

- (a) Uranium  Corporation  of  India  Ltd.  (UCIL)  under  Department  of  Atomic  Energy  is engaged in the uranium mining & milling operations at Jharkhand.

No report on health hazards to people on account of uranium tailings management has been received by the Government. However, a news item was published in Hindustan Times, Ranchi edition (Dt. 23-02-2014) alleging adverse effects of radiation emanating from  mining  activities  on  environment  and  population  in  Jaduguda,  East  Singhbhum district, Jharkhand. Hon'ble High Court of Jharkhand had taken Suo-moto cognizance of this news item in W.P. (PIL) No. 1188 of 2014.

Hon'ble  High  Court  vide  order  dated  20.01.2016  directed  to  constitute  an  expert committee  to  examine  the  effects  of  radiation  in  the  vicinity  of  Jaduguda  mines.  The Committee constituted accordingly, submitted a detailed report to the Hon'ble High Court on  04.06.2016.  The  committee,  based  on  the  surveillance  data  around  the  area, concluded that as per international guidelines, no health effects are discernible at such exposure levels. The committee also proposed that a regular system of interaction and communication,  including  awareness  programme  with  the  population  in  and  around Jaduguda and the society in general, needs to be developed.

On the basis of the Report of the Expert Committee, Hon'ble High Court of Jharkhand vide  their  order  No.  10  dated  13.07.2016  has  disposed  the  Writ  Petition  (PIL)    No. 1188 of  2014  and  directed  that  the  recommendations  of  the  'Expert  Committee'  be complied  with  by  Uranium  Corporation  of  India  Limited  (UCIL),  Jharkhand.  Uranium Corporation  of  India  Limited  has  taken  all  necessary  action  to  comply  with  the recommendations made by the Expert Committee.

- (b)         Yes, Sir.
- (c ) Uranium  Corporation  of  India  Ltd.  has  conducted  several  public  awareness  and welfare activities in the nearby villages in view of the recommendations of the Expert committee  report  which  includes  meeting  with  representatives  of  the  surrounding villagers regarding their grievances (if any) and to disseminate the facts and myths of uranium mining.  The details of camps conducted by UCIL are as follows:
- Awareness  camps  conducted  in  nearby  schools  at  Kendriya  Vidyalaya,  Surda, Sidhu  Kanhu  School,  Kedo,  Khukradih  High  School,  Higher  Secondary  School, Dudra, Middle School, Gohla during the month of September to December, 2016.
- Awareness  camp  conducted  at  Saraswati  Vidya  Mandir,  Badiya  on  the  23rd December, 2016.
- Banners for  medical  camps  and Wall  painting  at  Jaduguda  for  dissemination  of information in the public domain has been taken up and is in progress.
- Workshop for Media Professionals on Activities of Uranium Corporation of India Ltd was held on 27th January, 2017.
- 43 Nos. of Medical camps have been conducted starting September, 2016 till date & a total of 2032 nos. of patients have been examined so far.

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