Nuclear Bill ‘bulldozed’ in Parliament to help PM Modi restore ‘SHANTI’ with ‘once good friend’: Congress

Overview The Congress party has raised concerns regarding the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill , alleging that it was hastily passed in Parliament to benefit Prime Minister Narendra Modi's relationship with the U.S. The core contention is that the SHANTI Bill weakens key provisions of the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 , potentially aligning India's nuclear policy more closely with U.S. expectations. Key Allegations Political Motivation: The Congress claims the bill was "bulldozed" through Parliament to "restore SHANTI" with a U.S. leader. Weakening Liability: The bill allegedly undermines the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act , a concern highlighted in the United States’ National Defence Authorisation Act for 2026 . Private Sector Focus: Concerns were raised about promoting the private sector at the expense of public sector undertakings (PSUs) in the nuclear energy sector. U.S. Involvement and the NDAA The U.S. National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA) for 2026 includes a section referencing a joint assessment between the United States and India on nuclear liability rules. This reference, specifically on page 1,912 of the Act, has fueled the Congress's allegations. Key Provisions in the U.S. NDAA Joint Consultative Mechanism: The Act mandates the establishment of a joint consultative mechanism within the U.S.-India Strategic Security Dialogue. Alignment with International Norms: The mechanism aims to discuss opportunities for India to align its domestic nuclear liability rules with international norms. Bilateral Strategy: The Act calls for developing a strategy for the U.S. and India to pursue diplomatic engagements related to analyzing and implementing these opportunities. Parliamentary Proceedings and Government Response The SHANTI Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha on December 17 and in the Rajya Sabha on December 18 . During the Rajya Sabha debate, opposition members moved amendments to send the bill to a parliamentary committee, but these were rejected. Government Justification Minister of State for Atomic Energy, Jitendra Singh , stated that the bill aims to make India self-reliant in nuclear energy and reduce dependence on other energy sources. Concerns and Criticisms Critics, including Jairam Ramesh , have voiced concerns about the bill's potential impact on the public sector and the need to encourage indigenous technology in the nuclear sector. The debate centers on the appropriate balance between public and private sector involvement in India's nuclear energy infrastructure. Key Concerns Private Sector Dominance: Concerns that private firms cannot replace PSUs in the nuclear sector. Impact on Indigenous Technology: The need to prioritize and encourage available indigenous technology. Liability Issues: The potential weakening of the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act . UPSC Relevance This issue is relevant to GS Paper 2 (Government Policies & International Relations) and GS Paper 3 (Science & Technology, Economy) . It touches upon key aspects of India's energy policy, international agreements, and the role of the private sector in strategic industries. Understanding the nuances of the SHANTI Bill and its potential implications is crucial for UPSC aspirants.