Strict n-bill provisions: GE chief meets PM

Sources indicated that Immelt outlined the hurdles American companies face in supplying nuclear equipment to India.

It was not clear if the PM gave any assurances to Immelt,but the government,the sources said,is working on rules for the liability regime that would ensure that individual suppliers are not exposed to unlimited liability clauses.

The government understands that neither lifelong guarantee nor unlimited liability is possible, said a senior official. He,however,made it clear that a change in the liability Bill passed by Parliament recently was not possible.

Earlier this week,US secretary of State Hillary Clinton had taken up the issue at a meeting with S M Krishna in New York.

On Tuesday,US Under Secretary of Commerce and International Trade Francisco J Sanchez said in Mumbai that he hoped the issue would be looked into.

While welcoming Indias move to join the nuclear liability regime,Sanchez said unlimited liability clauses are a deterrent to business.

A General Electric-Hitachi team is in Mumbai to hold negotiations with the Nuclear Power Corporation of India,which operates nuclear power plants in the country. GE is expected to bid for the supply of six 1350 MW nuclear reactors.