Parliament clears SHANTI bill, opens civil nuclear sector to private players
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Parliament on Thursday passed the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, paving the way for private participation in India’s tightly regulated civil nuclear energy sector.
The Rajya Sabha cleared the bill by a voice vote, a day after it was passed by the Lok Sabha. With this, the legislation has received approval from both Houses of Parliament.
Replying to the debate in the Upper House, Minister of State in the Department of Atomic Energy Jitendra Singh said the move would strengthen India’s energy security. He described nuclear power as a dependable 24x7 source of electricity, unlike several renewable energy options that depend on weather conditions.
Singh sought to address concerns over safety, assuring members that the government would not dilute safeguards in any manner. “There will be no compromise with the existing safety and regulatory mechanisms,” he said.
Dismissing fears related to radiation exposure, the minister added that there have been no reported instances of radiation-related hazards affecting the public so far.
The SHANTI Bill marks a significant policy shift, as India’s civil nuclear sector has historically been under strict government control. The legislation is expected to attract private investment, boost capacity addition, and support the country’s long-term clean energy goals.
