The Rajya Sabha witnessed heated debates on Thursday concerning the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Bill, 2025 (SHANTI Bill), as opposition parties voiced strong apprehensions regarding safety risks and regulatory gaps associated with increased private sector involvement in the nuclear sector.
Opposition members questioned the government's decision to open up the civil nuclear sector to private companies, alleging that it could compromise safety and create opportunities for irregularities. Concerns were raised about the potential for prioritizing profit over safety and public interest in a high-risk industry. Some argued that the bill paves the way for "oligarchisation" of India's nuclear energy system, granting private entities control without adequate safeguards.
Several opposition leaders called for the SHANTI Bill to be sent to a select committee of the House or a joint committee of Parliament for further scrutiny.
A central point of contention revolves around safety and liability concerns stemming from the privatization of nuclear energy. DMK MP P Wilson described the Bill as a "nuclear bomb which threatens the country's peace and security". He and other critics worry about the "blanket opening of the entire nuclear fuel cycle from uranium mining to waste management to private entities with undetermined qualification, unclear accountability and profit as their primary motive". The absence of guaranteed local employment, priority power allocation, or community development initiatives in the bill was also highlighted as a significant issue.
Concerns were raised that the bill weakens legal accountability by potentially dropping key protections from existing liability laws, such as clauses preventing compensation from reducing other legal claims. Capping operator liability based on plant capacity rather than actual damage could leave victims under-compensated after a major incident. The independence and powers of the nuclear regulator were also questioned, with critics emphasizing the need for ensuring stringent safety standards and maintaining public confidence.
Some opposition members also alluded to potential external pressures influencing the government's stance on the bill. They suggested that the push for private sector involvement, particularly regarding Small Modular Reactors, might be driven by the United States. RJD’s Manoj Jha stated that some "invisible power" appeared to be behind the SHANTI Bill.
The historical context of India's nuclear program was also brought into the debate. Congress MP Jairam Ramesh emphasized that key developments in the sector predated 2014, highlighting the contributions of leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru and scientists like Homi Bhabha. He noted the importance of utilizing India's thorium reserves for energy security, rather than relying on external private companies.
While supporters of the bill argue it is a pragmatic step towards clean energy, opposition members remain unconvinced, emphasizing the need for caution and comprehensive safeguards in the nuclear sector. The debate surrounding the SHANTI Bill highlights the complex challenges of balancing energy needs with safety and security concerns in a rapidly evolving world.
