Unclear Liability Laws, An Invitation to Disaster by DiaNuke.org

Anamika Badal

"We should never reconsider the rules of the game once the game has begun. And we should hold the rules till the game is over," says Russia.

Oh yes? What game and who decides what is the end? Death and devastation perhaps?

While it is welcome that the Indian government has finally made its stand clear on the applicability of the nuclear liability law at Koodankulam, it opens up many important questions. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh last month publicly asked the question on the applicability of Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage (CLND) Act for the proposed Koodankulam reactors 3 and 4 to be built by Russia.

Prior to the passage of this Act, India did not have clear laws relating to the liability of nuclear suppliers/operators in case of an accident. The Act sought to provide some relief to those living near these reactors and who would certainly face serious and long term consequences in case of a nuclear accident.