(a) whether any regulations exist for installing, operating, transporting or decommissioning radioactive materials/ devices in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the steps taken to avoid Cobalt-60 pencils like incidents at Mayapuri in future?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES (INDEPENDENT CHARGE), PMO, PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS.
(SHRI PRITHVIRAJ CHAVAN):
(a) Yes, Sir.
(b) Atomic Energy (Radiation Protection) Rules, 2004 and Atomic Energy (Safe Disposal of
Radioactive Wastes) Rules, 1987 promulgated under the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, and Safety
Standards, Codes published by Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) made thereunder provide
necessary frame work of regulations pertaining to installation, operation, decommissioning,
disposal and transport of devices containing radioactive material.
(c) Several actions have been taken by AERB and other Government agencies to prevent
incidents like Mayapuri. Some of the steps taken are:
i. Installation of Radiological Detection Equipments (RDEs) at entry/exit of
airports, sea-ports, inland container depots and other land ports.
ii. Further efforts to bring legacy sources (which may have been in existence from periods
when regulatory controls were still in the evolving stage) under regulatory control by
scanning old records.
iii. Updating the inventory of sources based on inputs from various Government
departments/agencies, source suppliers, response to advertisement issued in newspapers,
etc.
iv. Increase in the number of awareness programmes pertaining to radiation safety in
various areas in the country. Members of scrap association have been sensitized to monitor
scrap for radiation. On May 6, 2010 AERB organized an awareness programme for scrap dealers
and workers of Mayapuri scrap market. In this program, more than 150 participants were
familiarized with the use of radiation monitors.
v. The requirement of pre-shipment inspection certificate for consignments imported to
India declaring that they do not contain any type of hazardous, toxic waste, radioactive
contaminated waste has been notified.
vi. Enhanced regulatory control by increasing frequency of inspection and establishment
of Regional Centres of AERB.