The Government has taken measures to ensure availability of fuel in required quantity (from both domestic and imported sources) and to expedite ongoing projects.

In addition, the Government has taken the following measures to facilitate nuclear power capacity addition:

• In principle approval of sites to locate nuclear power plants in future.

• Creation of India Nuclear Insurance Pool to cover the Operator’s Liability as prescribed under the provisions of the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage (CLND) Act, 2010.

• Amendment to the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 to facilitate establishment of Joint Venture Companies (JVC) by Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) with other Central Public Sector Undertakings to set up nuclear power plants.

• Budget speech announcement (2016-17) on augmenting investment in nuclear power.

A focussed approach directed towards research and development with identified goals are being carried out in various fields like advanced reactor development, nuclear fuel cycle, thorium fuel utilisation, reactor safety studies, life cycle & ageing management studies, electronics and instrumentation, high efficiency energy conversion, advanced materials and remote handling and robotics.

The research and development activities in NPCIL are being carried out for development of technology, tools, testing facilities etc. aimed at enhancement of nuclear and radiation safety, reliable operation of nuclear power plants and development of equipment/ components/ systems for current and future nuclear power reactors.

This information was provided by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.