Lok Sabha Question No. 23 (STARRED), answered on 2015-07-22
Subject: Nuclear Safety
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: KRISHNAN NARAYANASAMY RAMACHANDRAN, P. KARUNAKARAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO.23

TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2015

## NUCLEAR SAFETY

- *23. SHRI K.N. RAMACHANDRAN: SHRI P. KARUNAKARAN:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  satisfied  with  the  regulatory  mechanism  in  place  for ensuring nuclear safety in India and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) has requested for functional independence as a regulator;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and the response of the Government thereto; and
- (d) the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (d) A statement is laid 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. 23 DUE  FOR  ANSWER  ON  22.07.2015  BY  SHRI  K.N.  RAMACHANDRAN  AND  SHRI  P. KARUNAKARAN REGARDING 'NUCLEAR SAFETY'

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- (a) Yes,  Sir.  Our  national  nuclear  regulator  -  Atomic  Energy  Regulatory  Board (AERB)  has  well  established  policies  governing  regulation  of  nuclear  and radiation safety and has all the necessary functional autonomy for conducting the safety reviews and regulatory control of the nuclear and radiation facilities in India.  AERB  has  been  effectively  fulfilling  its  mandate  of  safety  review  and regulation concerning nuclear safety with various nuclear facilities in India. In pursuance of such policies, AERB has issued Safety Codes, Safety Standards and Safety Guides for regulation of nuclear and radiation facilities/activities in India.  AERB  has  evolved  a  robust  process  for  safety  review  and  issue  of consents  at  various  stages  viz.  siting,  construction,  commissioning,  operation and  decommissioning  for  setting  up  of  nuclear  and  radiation  facilities,  in addition  to  the  periodical  regulatory  inspections.  AERB  follows  its  strategy  of comprehensive review in a multi-tier regulatory structure of safety committees (involving experts in relevant fields from various organisations) before issue of consent based on requirements specified in AERB Safety Code on 'Regulation of  Nuclear  and  Radiation  Facilities'  and  associated  Safety  Guides.  AERB's functional  autonomy  and  robust  policies  in  regulating  nuclear  and  radiation safety are also evident from the very good safety performance of the nuclear facilities which is on par with the international benchmarks.
- (b) (c) & (d)  No  Sir,  AERB  is  already  having  a  robust  nuclear  safety  mechanism  that  has been functionally independent. However, in order to give statutory strength to AERB,  Government  had  introduced  the  Nuclear  Safety  Regulatory  Authority (NSRA) Bill, 2011 in the Lok Sabha on 7 September 2011. By enacting NSRA Act,  the  functional  independence  of  AERB  will  be  converted  into  de  jure independence.  The  Bill  could  not  be  taken  up  for  consideration  due  to dissolution of 15th Lok Sabha. With the formation of the 16th Lok Sabha, the Bill is proposed to be introduced afresh. Accordingly, a Bill titled Nuclear Safety Regulatory Authority Bill, 2015 is proposed to be introduced in Parliament after completion of necessary pre-legislative formalities

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