Question : Nuclear Safety Implementation

(a)whether the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI), a US-based non-profit body hasrated the security arrangements at the Indian nuclear installations as ‘poor and not upto the mark’and placed India among the nations having poor practices with regard to nuclear security implementation;

(b)if so, the details thereof;

(c)whether the Government has strongly objected and questioned the NTI as India adopts one of the best practices being followed in many advanced countries; and

(d)if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (Dr. JITENDRA SINGH) :

(a)&(b)In 2014, the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI), came out with the second edition of an index that it claims, assesses 25 countries with one kilogram or more of weapons-usable nuclear material on their contributions towards improved global nuclear materials security conditions. India was placed at the 23rd position on this index.

(c)&(d) The Government of India neither recognises the index nor agrees with the methodology adopted by the NTI, a non-Governmental organisation. India''s nuclear security record belies the NTI rating.

*****