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The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board currently enjoys functional independence and at times dictates terms to other nuclear bodies, but issues have been raised regarding the statutory status of its autonomy, which can be formalised by passing a law, the AERB Chairman, Mr S.S. Bajaj, said.
“It (independence) can be strengthened by a suitable legislation,” Mr Bajaj told PTI.
There has been a demand to make AERB a statutorily independent body, which could help it in getting external funds for construction of imported power plants.
The amendment of the Atomic Energy Act in this regard is already on cards, according to highly-placed sources in the Department of Atomic Energy.
AERB has been dealing with 20 operating nuclear power plants, half-a-dozen under-construction plants, fuel-cycle facilities and thousands of radiation facilities across the country.
“But we have never compromised on the safety of the plants and the workers, and even went to the extent of shutting down the operating plants till the required safety measures were implemented by the operators on several occasions,” Mr Bajaj said.
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