New Delhi: The Lok Sabha on 17 December passed the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, 2025, rejecting Opposition demands to refer it to a parliamentary panel. The legislation now moves to the Rajya Sabha.
During the debate, Congress MP Manish Tewari questioned the timing of the Bill, linking it to recent private sector interest in nuclear energy, a charge denied by Science Minister Jitendra Singh, who said the law was not tailored for any company. Tewari also flagged the removal of the supplier liability clause under the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010, arguing it diluted accountability in case of accidents.
Responding, Singh said earlier liability provisions had deterred collaboration and that advances such as small modular reactors had altered risk profiles. Opposition members, including Supriya Sule and Shashi Tharoor, criticised the Rs 3,000 crore liability cap, calling it inadequate. Singh said additional costs would be met through insurance mechanisms and a proposed Nuclear Liability Fund.
