N-deal should not obstruct indigenous prog: Parl panel

A Parliamentary panel has asked the Government to ensure that there is no obstruction to the indigenous nuclear programme under the civilian nuclear deal with the United States.

A Parliamentary panel has asked the Government to ensure that there is no obstruction to the indigenous nuclear programme under the civilian nuclear deal with the United States.

“It should be ensured that there is no obstruction to the indigenous nuclear programme,” a Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology told the Government in its report on the Department of Atomic Energy.

The committee has also asked the department that national interest should be kept in mind as negotiators work out the modalities regarding the nuclear deal.

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Officials have already negotiated the text of an agreement with the US and this is being further discussed within the government, the committee was told.

Discussions are being held with friendly countries such as France and Russia to enhance bilateral cooperation in the field of nuclear energy and to open-up international trade in civil nuclear energy with India.

India has also inked documents with France and Russia for cooperation in nuclear energy and to step up atomic power plants respectively.

“The purpose of all these instruments is to ensure that there is a significant addition in nuclear energy generating capacity in the country,” government told the 41-member committee.

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It also sought to assure the panel that while negotiating various instruments, it has been ensured that India will be able to carry on with the indigenous programme as per its national interests without any hindrance.