A case against the SHANTI Act
GS3Economy · S&T · Environment · Security· Nuclear & new energy technology· Prelims + Mains·
Why in news
Critics have raised concerns over the SHANTI Act, arguing that its liability caps and supplier indemnities undermine nuclear safety and accountability.
Background
The SHANTI Act opens the nuclear power sector to private entities and alters liability frameworks. It caps operator liability at ₹3,000 crore for large plants and indemnifies nuclear suppliers from accident liability.
Facts for Prelims
- Act / BillSHANTI Act: Legislation opening India's nuclear power sector to private entities.
- FactThe SHANTI Act caps operator liability at ₹3,000 crore for large nuclear plants.
- FactThe Act provides indemnification to nuclear suppliers against liability for accidents.
For Mains
Q. Critically analyze the trade-offs between incentivizing private investment in nuclear energy and ensuring stringent safety and liability frameworks for public protection.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Liability gap: Insufficient compensation caps for large-scale nuclear accidents relative to potential environmental damage
- Regulatory risk: Potential for private entities to prioritize cost-cutting over safety protocols due to limited liability
- International alignment: Conflict between domestic liability caps and international nuclear safety standards
Keywords: Nuclear liability · Private-public partnership · Risk mitigation · Regulatory framework · Energy security
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This note is generated automatically from SatyaDheesh's news feed and mapped to the UPSC CSE syllabus. Check facts against the original report or PIB before using them in an answer.