Lok Sabha Question No. 395 (STARRED), answered on 2017-03-29
Subject: Joint Ventures of NPCIL
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: SURESH KODIKUNNIL, RAJESH RANJAN  (PAPPU  YADAV)

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 395

TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.03.2017

## JOINT VENTURES OF NPCIL

## *395.  SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH:

SHRI RAJESH RANJAN:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to enable the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) to form joint ventures with Indian Railways for setting up of Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs) in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof including the number of NPPs proposed to be set up under the said joint ventures and the reasons therefor along with the equity contribution from the said PSUs;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to invite established private entities to form joint ventures with NPCIL and if so, the details thereof including the proposals received by the Government from the said entities;
- (d) whether  the  existing  joint  ventures  with  NALCO,  Indian  Oil  and  NTPC  are operational and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (e) whether the partners in the aforementioned joint ventures are equally liable for settlements and claims arising under the liability mandate and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (e) A statement is placed on the Table of the House.

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## Government of India Department of Atomic Energy

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.  *395  DUE  FOR  ANSWER  ON  29.03.2017  BY  SHRI  KODIKUNNIL  SURESH AND SHRI RAJESH RANJAN REGARDING JOINT VENTURES OF NPCIL.

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- (a)&(b)  The Government has already enabled Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) to form Joint Ventures with other Public Sector Enterprises by  amending  the  provisions  of  the  Atomic  Energy  Act  1962.  So  far,  only exploratory discussions have been held between NPCIL  and  Indian Railways for forming a Joint Venture for setting up nuclear power projects in the country.
- (c) No, Sir.
- (d) The  existing  Joint  Ventures  with  National  Aluminium  Company  Limited (NALCO),  Indian  Oil  Corporation  Limited  (IOCL)  and  National  Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) could not take up projects earlier on account of the provisions of the Atomic Energy Act, 1962. The amendment brought in by  the  Government  in  this  Act  has  enabled  the  Joint  Ventures  to  take  up projects  in  future.  The  projects  will  be  considered,  subject  to  agreement between the JV partners and approval by the Government.
- (e) As per the Section 4(1) of the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage (CLND) Act, 2010  the  Operator  of  the  nuclear  installation  shall  be  liable  for  nuclear damage caused by nuclear incident. Thus, in the event of a nuclear incident, the Joint Venture Company, as operator of the nuclear installation, would be liable for nuclear damage, caused by a nuclear incident.

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