(a) whether certain changes had been made in the Atomic Energy Act through a
notification on 18 January, 2006;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether such changes are likely to lead to export of many atomic minerals
from the country under open general licence;
(d) if so, the names of those minerals;
(e) whether the atomic energy sector of the country is likely to suffer financial
loss by export of these minerals; and
(f) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND PRIME
MINISTER’S OFFICE (SHRI V. NARAYANASAMY) :
(a)&(b) No Sir. The notification of 18 January 2006 issued under the Atomic Energy Act,
1962 pertain to Prescribed Substances, Prescribed Equipment and Technology. The items
listed in the notification are regulated as per the provisions of the Atomic Energy Act,
1962.
(c)&(d) Separate license is required for acquisition, production, possession, use,
disposal, export and import of any of the prescribed substances. The prescribed
substances inter-alia includes uranium, thorium, any material, substance or concentrate
containing uranium and thorium, and also niobium, tantalum and beryllium. These elements
and their minerals are important for atomic energy programme and the changes as above do
not bring these under open general licence for export.
(e) No Sir.
(f) Does not arise in view of (e) above.