Lok Sabha Question No. 3743 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-09
Subject: Treatment of People affected by Nuclear Disaster
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: NARANBHAI KACHHADIA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3743

TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.08.2017

## TREATMENT OF PEOPLE AFFECTED BY NUCLEAR DISASTER

3743.  SHRI NARANBHAI KACHHADIYA:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Department  of  Atomic  Energy  has  formulated  any  scheme  to ensure best medical treatment for the people, in the event of any large scale nuclear disaster in consultation with concerned State Government, Ministry of Health  and  Family  Welfare  and  National  Disaster  Management  Authority (NDMA) and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (b) whether the department has held consultations with the State Governments and NDMA in this regard and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the time by which the Government is likely to formulate a proper action-plan in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a)to(c)  Yes  Sir.  The  scheme  viz.  'Preparedness  for  response  to  any  nuclear accidents leading to off-site  emergency at Nuclear Power Plant (NPP)' is existing and emergency exercises are conducted periodically.

Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) has been successfully operating all its nuclear facilities  for  the  past  six  decades,  by  ensuring  radiological  safety both  to  its  workforce  and  every  member  of  public.  The  probability  of occurrence of major accidents at these nuclear facilities leading to environmental  releases  affecting  member  of  public  is  extremely  small. World-over, the accidents at nuclear facilities is termed  as  nuclear emergency,  while  detonation  of  nuclear  warhead  is  termed  as  nuclear disaster, an event of large scale impact. Preparation for medical management during any nuclear / radiological threat as a part of Chemical,

Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) threat is being addressed by

National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). The defence-in-depth approach of DAE ensures multiple layers of safety, to minimize the probability of any accident and impact of nuclear emergency that may require medical intervention to member of public. Also, DAE has a rugged regulatory mechanism, with documents prepared by district authorities,  State  Government  and  NDMA  on  'Preparedness  towards  offsite  emergency  and  response  plan'  with  technical  inputs  from  DAE. Periodic Emergency Exercises are conducted (once in every two years) at all the NPP sites.

Due to all the safety aspects in consideration during site selection, design, operation and preparedness for response plan to any nuclear emergency arising  out  of  DAE's  nuclear  facility;  it  is  highly  unlikely  to  result  in  any nuclear emergency eliciting medical intervention to any member of public. However,  internationally  it  is  observed  that  in  such  emergency  situation, psychological / social effect is a major cause of concern among members of public due to lack of awareness. The Hospitals / Health Care Centres of DAE would be available to take care of occupational workers during any inadvertent  event  at  DAE  facilities.  NDMA  is  finalising  a  document  on medical management and guidelines for nuclear emergency with technical inputs  from  DAE  and  in  consultation  with  Ministry  of  Health  and  Family Welfare [MoH&FW (DGHS)].

*******