the status of Atomic Energy Act, 2008 and the benefits accrued as a result thereof?
the status of Atomic Energy Act, 2008 and the benefits accrued as a result thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME
MINISTER’S OFFICE (SHRI V. NARAYANASAMY)
There is no Act called ‘Atomic Energy Act, 2008’ enacted by the Government. However,
the Atomic Energy Act, originally enacted in 1948, was repealed in 1962 when the Atomic
Energy Act, 1962 was enacted. Minor amendments to the Act were made in 1986 and 1987.
The Department of Atomic Energy reviewed the need for amending the provisions of the Act,
and action taken thereon from time to time since the beginning of the 1990’s.The Department
of Atomic Energy is now in the process of finalizing draft amendments to be made to the Atomic Energy Act, 1962. Atomic Energy Act, 1962 essentially provides the legal framework for
development, control and use of atomic energy for the welfare of people of India and for
other peaceful purposes and for matters connected therewith. The benefits accrued under
Atomic Energy Act, 1962 so far are as follows: -
1. Indigenous development of nuclear power technology and nuclear fuel cycle technology.
2. Large scale application of radioisotopes in
(a) Healthcare i.e. radiation, hygeinisation of medical products
(b) Radiopharmaceuticals for diagnostics and therapy
(c) Radiation treatment for cancer (teletherapy and brachytherapy)
(d) Nuclear agriculture: Use of radioisotopes for mutation of seeds (largely oil seeds
and pulses) for improvement in yield, resistance against pest and shortening of maturity
period, etc.
(e) Application of radioisotope for food preservation.
(f) Industrial applications: non-destructive testing using gamma rays, gamma scanning
of petro-chemical towers, logging of oil wells, radiation processing of polymers, industrial gauging, etc.
3. Capacity building for strategic activities.