Supreme Court to decide over nuclear civil liability: Narayanasamy

Bangalore, Mar 17 (ANI): A day after the Supreme Court admitted a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on the Government's Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010, the Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office V Narayanasamy, on Saturday said the apex court was seized of the matter, and it would now be deciding on it as it has been already passed by government.

"A PIL has been filed in the Supreme Court by one of the organisations. The Supreme Court said that as far as the safety of the nuclear power plant is concerned, the court will not go into it. As far as the civil liability is concerned the court said we will consider it, now it is in the domain of the court because the government passed the Nuclear Damage Liability Bill. Now since the court is seized of the matter, let the court decide," said Narayanasamy.

The Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 has come under the Supreme Court's scanner after a PIL was filed by Common Cause NGO, challenging the provision which puts a cap on the liability of a nuclear power plant operator at Rs.1500 crore in the case of a mishap,

The PIL says that the provision is violating of the fundamental right to Life.he Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Bill 2010 is a highly debated and controversial bill passed by both houses of parliament.

The Bill aims to provide a civil liability for nuclear damage and prompt compensation to the victims of a nuclear incident through a no fault liability to the operator, appointment of Claims Commissioner, establishment of Nuclear Damage Claims Commission and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. (ANI)