(a) whether the Government has proposed to set up a new Council on Atomic and Nuclear Safety in place of Atomic Energy Regulatory Board;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
(c) the details of duties/subjects proposed to be assigned to the new Council?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (DR.JITENDRA SINGH):
(a) & (b) Yes, Sir. Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) has functional independence and reports to the Atomic Energy Commission. By enacting the Nuclear Safety Regulatory Authority Bill (NSRA), the functional independence of AERB will be converted into de jure independence thereby addressing any apprehensions about regulation of nuclear and radiation safety. The proposed Council for Nuclear Safety through the NSRA Bill will be headed by Prime Minister of India as its Chairperson.
(c) The proposed Council shall oversee and review the policies with respect to radiation safety, nuclear safety and other matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.