Date:22/11/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/11/22/stories/2007112253880400.htm

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Nuclear Society chief backs nuke deal

Rodriguez says deal will pave the way for lifting sanctions against country

‘Reasons cited by opponents of deal misleading’
‘Multiple players needed in nuclear sector’

HYDERABAD: President of the Indian Nuclear Society, Placid Rodriguez, has lent support to the Indo-US nuclear deal, saying it would allow import of natural uranium, light water reactors and pave the way for lifting sanctions against the country.

Talking to reporters after delivering the presidential address at the society’s 18th annual conference here on Wednesday, he felt that the country should go ahead with the N-agreement.

The deal would also enable India become part of the nuclear suppliers group and export smaller reactors.

Popular reasons like patriotism, which were cited by the opponents of the deal were ‘misleading’, Mr. Rodriguez, a former director of the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, maintained. He clarified that these were his personal views.

Private participation

If the deal came through the private sector could enter the nuclear power sector. An amendment to the relevant act in this regard was already on the cards.

Referring to the likely entry of the private sector, he said that multiple players were needed in view of the projected growth of nuclear energy.

Even if the private sector was allowed, ownership of fuel would remain with the Government.

Earlier, addressing the meet, Mr. Rodriguez said it was wrong to say that the deal would lead to nuclear renaissance in the country. India was still in its nuclear spring and had not reached its nuclear winter yet.

The West needed India for its renaissance, he said, pointing out that the US had missed three generations of nuclear technology after the Long Mile Island mishap.

The US needed the nuclear deal more as a way to meet its HR requirements from India. “That is their anxiety.”

Action sought

He warned that there would be a crisis of HR in the nuclear programme unless appropriate action was taken keeping in view the growth of nuclear energy.

P. Rama Rao, member, Atomic Energy Commission, stressed the need for the country to be a part of the global community to harness strengths of hi-tech advancements in all fields for the benefit of all.

S. Banerjee, director, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, speaking on the challenges of uranium exploration, said the Kadapa Basin would finally become the country’s major uranium source.