The Lok Sabha on Wednesday approved a bill providing for allowing private participation in the nuclear energy sector amid opposition from the opposition. While the government has termed the ‘Sustainable Exploitation and Enhancement of Nuclear Energy for India’s Transformation (SHANTI) Bill, 2025’ i.e. SHANTI Bill as historic, the opposition has alleged that it does not have the provision of supplier’s responsibility and it is going to open the way for private corporate groups in the sensitive sector.
After Minister of State for Atomic Energy Jitendra Singh responded to the discussion on the bill, the House rejected the opposition’s amendments and approved it by voice vote. Responding to the discussion, Jitendra Singh said that there are some provisions in this bill which were there earlier also, but in order to oppose the ruling party, the opposition members oppose the provisions of their time. He said that there is a budget of more than Rs 37 thousand crore for the nuclear energy sector.
The era of isolation in the world is over: Jitendra Singh
The minister said, ‘If we have set a target of 100 GW of clean energy by 2047, then the nuclear sector is important to achieve it.’ Singh said that in today’s world the era of isolation is over. He said that the same security measures have been continued which were implemented during the time of the first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. He also said that there will be private sector participation, but complete security arrangements have been made.
When some members mentioned that 15 years ago, BJP’s Arun Jaitley had opposed some provisions of the Atomic Energy Bill in Parliament, the Minister said that now times have changed. The minister said that in case of loss, the operator will have to compensate and there will be a Nuclear Responsibility Fund. He said that now India does not follow, but people follow India.
Opposition walked out in protest against the bill
The minister said that he acknowledges Nehru ji’s contribution in the field of nuclear energy. Expressing dissatisfaction over the minister’s reply, some opposition parties including Congress, DMK and SP walked out of the House. Earlier, while placing the bill for discussion and passing in the House, Singh said that only Prime Minister Narendra Modi can take such big decisions.
The Minister of State for Atomic Energy said, ‘This is a historic bill. After years, such a moment comes in the history of Parliament when members get such an opportunity to give a new direction to the nation’s journey. He said that in the times to come, this bill will be mentioned as a milestone.
Singh said, ‘India’s role at the geographical level is increasing and in such a situation we will have to conform to global standards. The world has moved towards clean energy. This is important to meet the increasing energy needs and achieve the goal of ‘self-reliant India’.
What did Manish Tiwari say in opposition to the bill?
Initiating the discussion on the bill, Congress MP Manish Tewari opposed it and also said that it should be sent to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for detailed deliberations. He alleged that in 2008, when efforts were being made to end the “nuclear apartheid policy”, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had tried to derail India’s nuclear energy program by moving a no-confidence motion against the Manmohan Singh-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.
Tiwari claimed that there is no provision for supplier’s responsibility in the ‘Sustainable Exploitation and Enhancement of Nuclear Energy for India’s Transformation (Peace) Bill, 2025’. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Shashank Mani said that the nuclear energy bill will give a new direction to the country and will take forward the chariot of ‘Developed India’ which will benefit every citizen of the country.
He also said that 100 gigawatts of energy would be needed to develop the country and this target could be achieved through nuclear energy.
Risks have been completely ignored in the bill: Tharoor
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor cited various flaws in the bill, claiming that it ‘completely ignores the risks’ posed by radiation from radioactive materials and nuclear waste. TMC, DMK and many other opposition members opposed the bill and demanded that it be sent to a parliamentary committee. Singh had introduced this bill in the Lok Sabha on 15 December. The Union Cabinet had approved this bill on 11 December.
As per the objects and reasons of the Bill, its objective is to provide for the promotion and development of nuclear energy, ensuring its application for nuclear energy production and innovation in health care, food, water, agriculture, industry, research, environment, nuclear science and technology. It also aims to provide for the welfare of the people of the country, and to provide for a strong regulatory framework for its safe use and matters related thereto.
