Lok Sabha Question No. 877 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-06-26
Subject: Security of Nuclear Power Plants
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: Suresh Kodikunnil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.877

TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.06.2019

## SECURITY OF NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS

## 877.   SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH :

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether reports of incidents expressing doubts about security of nuclear power plants in the country have come to the notice of the Government and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government is aware of any reports indicating the trespassing of two French investigative journalists into a prohibited zone belonging to Indian Rare Earths Limited in Tamil Nadu; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken to conduct a review of safety of  such  installations  including  nuclear  power  plants  and  vital  installations  of such capability?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) No, Sir.
- (b)&(c) On 26.11.2018, two French nationals,  namely Mr. Arthur Roland Rene and Mr. Jules Damien  approached    Indian  Rare  Earths Limited (IREL), Manavalakurichi  unit,  Kanyakumari  District,  Tamil  Nadu,  along  with  the Parish  Priest  of  Managudi,  Kanyakumari  District,  Tamil  Nadu,  FrKildos, seeking  appointment  of  the  HRM  Head.  The  premises  of  IREL  (India) Limited, Manavalakurichi unit, is classified as 'Prohibited Place' and entry of Foreign  Nationals  is  not  allowed  without  prior  security  clearance  from Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) as per Standard Operating Procedures  and  the  DAE  Guidelines  pertaining  to  permitting  entry  of Foreign  Nationals  into  DAE  premises.  Hence,  the  foreign  nationals  were denied entry. Also, considering the event as significant unusual occurrence,

local police authorities were notified of the incident. Subsequently, FIR no. 165  dated  28.11.2018  was  filed  at  Manavalakurichi  Police  Station  by  the Security in Charge of IREL (India) Limited, Manavalakurichi Unit.

- (i) Internal security audit was  conducted  and  the  following security measures were adopted in IREL (India) Limited, Manavalakurichi Unit:
- (a)  Regular Security sensitization Programmes are conducted as a part of security awareness to all employees including contractors/contractual labourers employed in the Unit.
- (b) Security  sensitization  Programmes  have  also  been  conducted for  the  fishermen folk in  the  adjoining  villages  close  to  the  unit who are deployed for collection of beach washings which is used as raw material for mining separation at our unit.
- (c) Action has been taken to reinforce CCTV coverage at sensitive areas.
- (ii) Post incident  visit: Inspector General (Security) DAE reviewed the security arrangements of IREL (India) Limited, Manavalakurichi Unit on 14.02.2019.
- (iii) All operating nuclear power plants in the country are under security cover  of  Central  Industrial  Security  Force  (CISF)  and  integrated security  systems  including  electronic  Surveillance  systems,  are  in place to deter security breach.
- (iv) Access  control  mechanisms  are  provided  at  critical  locations  to ensure  that  unauthorized  entry  is  prevented.  These  systems  are subjected  to  periodic  audits,  regulatory  verification  and  validation. The security systems / arrangements are also reviewed periodically and  necessary  upgrades  carried out  based  on  various inputs received from the central and state security agencies.
- (v) Security is accorded highest priority in Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and adequate measures are taken to ensure that it is maintained at the state of the art.

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