Parliament Clears SHANTI Bill, Opens Nuclear Sector to Private Players
Rajya Sabha nod paves way for private participation in civil nuclear energy with safeguards intact
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 18th Dec: Parliament on Thursday passed the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, marking a major policy shift by opening India’s tightly regulated civil nuclear sector to private participation.
The Rajya Sabha approved the legislation by a voice vote, a day after it was passed by the Lok Sabha, clearing the way for reforms aimed at expanding nuclear power generation in the country.
Replying to the debate, Minister of State in the Department of Atomic Energy Jitendra Singh said nuclear energy remains a dependable source of round-the-clock power, unlike other renewable options that depend on weather conditions. He stressed that nuclear power would play a key role in meeting India’s growing energy needs while ensuring energy security.
Addressing concerns raised by members over safety and radiation risks, Singh assured the House that there would be no dilution of the existing safeguard mechanisms. He said there has been no instance so far of radiation-related hazards affecting the public from nuclear installations in the country.
The minister underlined that India follows strict global safety standards and regulatory frameworks in nuclear operations and that private participation would be allowed only within a robust oversight structure.
The passage of the SHANTI Bill is expected to attract investment, boost domestic capacity and accelerate India’s clean energy transition, while keeping safety and security considerations at the core of nuclear expansion.
