PM orders review of safety systems at all nuclear plants

The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, has ordered a review of safety systems at all the nuclear plants in the country, as a caution in the wake of the Japan calamity.

Making a statement in Parliament on the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, Dr Singh, said that an immediate technical review of India's atomic plants has been ordered to check if they can withstand the impact of major natural disasters.

The nuclear meltdown in Japan has raised concerns over the safety of Indian atomic power generators particularly the proposed Jaitapur plant, which falls in a seismically sensitive area in Maharashtra.

The Prime Minister informed both Houses of Parliament that India was in constant touch with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Japanese Atomic Industrial Forum and the World Association of Nuclear Operators.

The Department of Atomic Energy and its agencies, including the Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) have been instructed to undertake an immediate technical review, he said.

He assured the country that its atomic power generators were safe.

Expressing condolences to Japan, he said New Delhi would spare no effort to assist the tragedy stricken country.

He said that there are 25,000 Indians in Japan, most of whom do not live in the areas affected by the tsunami and so far there are no reports of any casualties.

About 70 Indians are in shelters established by the Japanese authorities in the tsunami affected areas.

Indian Navy is also on standby to send its ships to Japan as part of relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction.

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