Private players will now enter the nuclear energy sector; the SHANTI Bill has been passed in the Lok Sabha amid opposition.

News Topical, Digital Desk : India's energy landscape is poised for a historic transformation in the coming years, thanks to the passage of the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

In fact, the enactment of this law will pave the way for private players to participate in the country's nuclear energy sector. It is believed that this new law will break the 63-year-old state monopoly and give private companies a stake in nuclear power production.

The central government listed the benefits of the new law

Union Minister of State for Science and Technology (Independent Charge) Jitendra Singh said that this law will play an important role in helping India achieve its target of producing 100 GW of nuclear power by 2027.

Responding to a debate on the bill, the Union Minister said the legislation would prove to be a milestone, according to news agency PTI. He added that India's global role is rapidly expanding, and if the country is to become an effective global power, it must move forward in accordance with international standards and strategies.

He further said that the entire world is moving towards clean and sustainable energy and in this direction, India has also set a target of developing 100 GW nuclear power capacity by the year 2047.

What is the purpose of this new bill?

It is noteworthy that the primary objective of this bill is to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy and attract investment in this sector. Until now, this sector has been primarily under government control, but now, under the new law, private companies will also be allowed to participate in this sector. The central government argues that this will promote technological innovation.

Opposition expressed strong protest

However, the bill was strongly opposed by the opposition after its introduction in the Lok Sabha. Opposition MPs claimed the legislation weakens the provisions of the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010.

The opposition alleged that while the current law places responsibility on equipment suppliers in case of a nuclear accident, the new bill introduced by the government could weaken this responsibility. 

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