Question : SAFETY NORMS FOR NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS

(a) whether the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has specified the safety norms to be followed by all the nuclear plants in the world;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Indian nuclear plants/ installations follow the same safety standards/norms as being followed by the nuclear plants of the developed world;

(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(e) whether the Government has set up an independent expert body to periodically inspect and evaluate safety standards of nuclear installations across the country; 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) to (f) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 285 FOR ANSWER ON 14.12.2011 BY DR. THOKCHOM MEINYA AND SHRI J.M. AARON RASHID REGARDING SAFETY NORMS FOR NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS.

(a) & (b) Yes Sir. IAEA has published a number of documents/guidelines on various safety aspects related to nuciear plants. These are recommendatory in nature.

(c) & (d) The Indian Nuclear Plants follow the standards developed by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB). While developing standards, the safety documents and guidelines of AERB, corresponding documents of IAEA are considered. Indian safety standards / norms are stringent and compare favourably with those followed by nuclear plants in the developed world.

(e) & (f) AERB, an independent organisation periodically inspects and evaluates safety standard, of nuclear installations across the country. The Central Government has introduced the Nuclear Safety Regulatory Authority Bill, 2011, to accord statutory status to the regulatory body. The details of the Bill are in the public domain.