Law relating to the use of nuclear energy in India a study

Abstract

To answer the ever increasing electricity needs, the Indian government through its national energy policy, endeavours to generate more electricity. However, keeping in mind the notions of sustainable development, it is shifting towards nuclear energy, considering it cost effective and environment friendly. But not ignoring the past nuclear incidents at Chernobyl and Fukushima Daiichi, which led to the release of huge amounts of radioactivity, it becomes necessary to study and analyze the legal framework existing both at the international and national level, especially pertaining to construction, designing, commissioning, operation and decommissioning of nuclear power plants. Aspects relating to safety and security of workers during uranium mining; transportation of nuclear material and nuclear waste; the reprocessing of nuclear spent fuel and the disposal of radioactive waste and nuclear waste; all have been well analyzed, keeping in mind the threats relating to nuclear terrorism and nuclear weapons proliferation. Emphasizing on the probable effects of a nuclear disaster, the appropriateness of the amount of compensation in case of nuclear damage has to be decided. Most of the aspects have also been studied from the existing tends in judicial thinking, at the international and national level. To study the awareness, perceptions and opinions of the people living in areas with such plants, primary study was conducted in the states of Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab, in the form of attitudinal survey. Considering all the aspects conclusion and suggestions have been drawn out. newline