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The threat to nuclear power plants in Japan has confirmed the worst fears of the critics of nuclear power projects around the world. Japan is a country with enormously advanced technology and a highly disciplined approach to safety issues but is finding it extremely difficult to cope with the present conditions.
The Government of India has firmly announced that it would create nuclear power capacity of as much as around 15,000 MW in the next few years, involving investment of several million dollars. There has been considerable opposition to these nuclear power plants by well meaning critics because of the high cost of power, lack of disposal facility for nuclear waste and safety issues such as radiation.
In a densely populated country like India, one shudders to imagine the consequences if similar disasters were to strike near the nuclear plants. The destruction in Japan is a grave global humanitarian issue and should alert the scientific community across the world. They should take a fresh look at the advisability of setting up nuclear power projects, particularly in developing countries which may not be able to adopt the best of safety procedures.
It would be appropriate if a world body such as the UN set up a committee of experts who would look into the issues and provide an advisory to all the countries.
N.S.Venkataraman
Debate on GST
The introduction of goods and services tax (GST) system has moved a step forward, with the Union Cabinet approving the introduction of a Constitutional Amendment Bill in Parliament. This marks a singular development of its kind in the history of our ‘constitutional law'.
Without involving the stakeholders in a wider public debate on the merits or otherwise of the proposed GST, the proposal is being considered a step in the on-going exercise at ‘simplification'.
The ‘step forward' thus having been accomplished by the Cabinet giving its ‘nod', the nation now simply awaits the final resolution; albeit with mixed feelings as to what is in store ahead.
V. Swami
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