(a) whether 26 kg. of radioactive uranium worth several crores of rupees was recovered from a gang of smugglers in Hyderabad;
(b) if so, from where this uranium was brought by the culprits and where it was to be sent for used;
(c) the actual value of the material and the number of persons were involved in this nefarious act; and
(d) the steps taken by the Government to ensure that uranium does not find way to unscrupulous elements?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY (SMT. VASUNDHARA RAJE)
(a) to (c) Twenty-six kg. of depleted uranium was recovered at
Hyderabad. The cost of the material is approximately
US $1820 (approximately equivalent to Indian Rupees
eighty five thousand one hundred and three). Detailed
investigations are still being carried out by the
Hyderabad Police as regards the origin of this uranium,
the number of persons involved and what was proposed to
be done with it.
(d) All hospitals and industrial radiography institutions
importing such equipment containing depleted uranium are
required to obtain licences from the Department of Atomic
Energy. The mandatory requirement is that all authorised
users should send the depleted uranium from the deconmmi-
ssioned radiation equipment to BARC for safe disposal.
All users have been informed again for the mandatory
requirement to send the parts of decommissioned tele-
therapy equipment containing depleted uranium for safe
disposal at BARC.