India's Nuclear Power Programme and the SHANTI Bill

India's nuclear power programme has historically been full of potential but has faced limited advancement due to complex laws and liability issues that deter private and global investments. The Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill aims to revamp this framework, offering a second chance at making nuclear power a crucial component of clean and reliable energy in India.

Key Features of the SHANTI Bill

• Replacement and Integration: SHANTI replaces the Atomic Energy Act of 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act of 2010 with a unified law to enhance nuclear commerce alignment globally.
• Ambitious Goals: The bill sets a target of achieving 100 GW of nuclear energy by 2047, aligning with India's decarbonization plans.
• Sector Involvement: Both public and private sectors are encouraged to participate, but foreign companies are excluded as licensees to maintain sovereignty.
• Regulatory Framework: Licensing remains with the government, while safety is regulated by an enhanced Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB).

Liability and Compensation

• Operator Liability: Reflecting global practices, the bill caps operator liability at 300 million SDR, with additional funds from a Nuclear Liability Fund.
• Terrorism Clause: Recognizes terrorism as a sovereign risk, holding the central government accountable for damages caused by terrorism.
• Compensation Pathway: Broadens nuclear damage definitions and provides a streamlined claims process for faster compensation.

Intellectual Property and Foreign Policy

• Special Inventions Regime: Introduces patent provisions for nuclear-related inventions to enhance Indian firms' participation in the global nuclear supply chain.
• Global Integration: Aligning liability and compensation norms with international standards to foster partnerships, especially with the United States.

The SHANTI Bill is seen as a bold and pragmatic step towards integrating India into the global nuclear mainstream, allowing for a transition from theoretical debates to practical delivery in nuclear power development.