Modi government mulling to open Nuclear sector to private companies
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the Union government is working on opening India’s nuclear sector to private companies, describing the move as an important step towards strengthening the country’s energy security and technological growth.
Modi made the remarks while addressing, through video conference, the inauguration of Skyroot Aerospace’s new rocket manufacturing facility, the Infinity Campus. He said the scope of economic reforms is expanding, and drew a connection to earlier changes that allowed private participation in the space sector.
According to the prime minister, the nuclear sector will see similar opportunities. “A strong role for the private sector is being laid in this field, which will create opportunities in small modular reactors, advanced reactors, and nuclear innovation,” he said. Modi added that such participation would “give new strength to India’s energy security and technological leadership.”
India has set a long-term target of installing 100 gigawatts of nuclear power capacity by 2047 under the Viksit Bharat mission. At present, research and development in the nuclear sector is restricted, with no provision for joint ventures between public sector undertakings and private companies. The government now plans to widen this framework.
To enable greater private involvement, the Centre is preparing to introduce a Bill in the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament to amend the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010.
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Former Assam Cong chief Bhupen Borah joins BJP
Guwahati (PTI): Former Assam Congress chief Bhupen Kumar Borah on Sunday joined the ruling BJP in the presence of its state unit president Dilip Saikia here.
Borah became a BJP member during a function held at the Assam BJP headquarters 'Vajpayee Bhawan'.
Along with him, former Congress worker Sanju Bora, too, joined the saffron party.
Borah had resigned on February 16, with the Congress high command not accepting it and senior leaders rushing to his residence, while Rahul Gandhi also spoke to him.
He had asked for time to reconsider his decision, but the next day, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma went to his residence and announced that he would join the BJP on February 22.
The 126-member Assam assembly is expected to go to polls in March-April.
