Support for AEC on keeping FBT out of nuclear civil list

Sharing Kakodkar’s concern, the scientists said that India should not succumb to any pressure to put fast breeder reactors, the second of the three-stage nuclear programme, in the civilian list under the plan to separate civilian and military programmes.

‘‘We want full freedom to do research as well develop future power programme in the country and no one can and should dictate on this issue,’’ they said.

S K Jain, chairman and managing director of Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Ltd (Bhavini), a new company of the Department of Atomic Energy formed to handle fast breeder reactors, said that by putting the country’s completely indigenous fast breeder programme under safeguards amounts to dampening Indian nuclear power programme.

‘‘Any facility under safeguards amounts to slowing down as even movement of material from one place to another within the premises also will be delayed. We want total freedom and unrestricted research and development to be carried out,’’ Jain said.

He said India has the second largest reserve of thorium and it has potential of giving 530,000 MW electricity for over 300 years. He said if the US is bargaining for the supply of uranium to Tarapur units, then ‘‘the current reserve will last at least for 18 months and we are already working on alternative things’’.