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PARLIAMENT OF INDIA
RAJYA SABHA DEPARTMENT-RELATEDPARLIAMENTARY STANDING
COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, ENVIRONMENT & FORESTS
ONE HUNDRED SEVENTY-SIXTH REPORT ON
DEMANDS FOR GRANTS (2007-2008) OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY (DEMAND NOs. 5 & 6)
(PRESENTED TO THE RAJYA SABHA ON 26TH APRIL, 2007) (LAID ON THE TABLE OF THE LOK SABHA ON 26TH APRIL, 2007)
RAJYA SABHA SECRETARIAT NEW DELHI
APRIL, 2007/VAISAKHA, 1929 (SAKA) Email: [email protected]
Website : http://rajyasabha.nic.in
C O N T E N T S
1. COMPOSITION OF THE COMMITTEE 2. INTRODUCTION 3. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE 4. SUMMARY OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS 5. MINUTESOFTHEMEETINGSOFTHECOMMITTEE
COMPOSITION OF THE DEPARTMENT-RELATED PARLIAMENTARY STANDING COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY,
ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (YEAR 2006)
1. Shri P.G. Narayanan –– Chairman
RAJYA SABHA
2. Dr.Prabha Thakur #3. Vacant
4. Shri Suryakantbhai Acharya 5. Shri Bhagirathi Majhi 6. Shri Kamal Akhtar 7. Shri Saman Pathak 8. Shri Jabir Husain 9. Shri Ravula Chandra Sekar Reddy
10. Dr. Barun Mukherjee
LOK SABHA 11. Shri Jashubhai Dhanabhai Barad
12. Dr. Sujan Chakraborty 13. Shri Thupstan Chhewang 14. Shri Pankaj Chaudhary 15. Shri Francis Fanthome 16. Shri Babubhai K. Katara 17. Shri A. Venkatesh Naik 18. Shri Brahmananda Panda 19. Smt. Neeta Pateriya 20. Shri Jaysingrao Gaikwad Patil 21. Shri Pratik Prakashbapu Patil 22. Shri Bachi Singh ‘Bachda’ Rawat 23. Shri K.C. Singh “Baba” 24. Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh 25. Shri Rakesh Singh 26. Shri Aruna Kumar Vundavalli 27. Smt. Jayaben B. Thakkar 28. Shri Akhilesh Yadav 29. Shri Mitrasen Yadav 30. Shri Sita Ram Yadav
*31. Shri Rampal Singh
SECRETARIAT
Shri N.C. Joshi, Additional Secretary Shri R.K. Singh, Officer on Special Duty Shri Alok Kumar Chatterjee, Deputy Secretary Shri Jagmohan Sundriyal, Under Secretary
Shri S. Rangarajan, Committee Officer
INTRODUCTION
I, the Chairman of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science & Technology, Environment & Forests, having been authorised by the Committee to present the Report on its behalf, present this One Hundred Seventy-sixth Report of the Committee. This Report deals with the detailed Demands for Grants (2007-2008) of the Department of Atomic Energy (Demand Nos. 5&6). 2. In the meeting of the Committee held on 2nd April, 2007 the Secretary and other Officers of the Department of Atomic Energy gave an overview of the various activities of the Department and the Members sought clarifications on various aspects of the performance of the Department to enable it to scrutinise the Demands for Grants. 3. The Committee expresses its thanks to the Officers of the Department for replying to the clarifications sought by the Members and placing before it the required material to enable the Committee to scrutinise the Demands for Grants of the Department of Atomic Energy. 4. The Committee considered and adopted the Report at its meeting held on the 20th April, 2007. NEW DELHI; April 20, 2007
P.G.NARAYANAN Chairman,
Department-related
Parliamentary Standing Committee
on Science & Technology, Environment & Forests
REPORT The Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) is the apex body for formulation of policies and
direction of the programmes relating to peaceful uses of atomic energy in electricity generation,
medicine, agriculture and industry. The Commission implements its policies and programmes
through the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). 2. DAE is engaged in research, technology development and commercial operations in the areas
of nuclear energy, high technologies and supports basic research. The DAE’s mandate is as
follows: • Production of safe and economical nuclear power, using indigenous uranium and thorium
resources. Towards this end, it is involved in developing in stages, pressurised heavy water
reactors, fast breeder reactors and thorium reactors with associated fuel cycle facilities; • Building and operation of research reactors for the production of radioisotopes and carrying
out programmes on isotope and radiation technology applications in medicine, agriculture
and industry; • Development in advanced technology areas such as accelerators, lasers, super computers,
advanced materials and instrumentation and encouragement to transfer technology to
industry; • Support to basic research in nuclear energy and related frontier areas of Science; interaction
with universities and academic institutions; • Support to research and development projects having a bearing on DAE’s programmes and
international cooperation in related advanced areas of research, and • Enrich University System through beneficial interaction with the system. • Contribution to national security.
3. The plan projects of the DAE are classified under broad major programmes relating to
various fields of activities. The major programmes can be further sub-divided to form cluster of
similarly placed projects in convenient groups. In line with its mandate, DAE has formulated its
activities under a set of major programmes (MP) as follows: Major Programme – 1 :
Nuclear Power Programme - Stage 1. (Natural uranium fuelled Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors - PHWRs - and associated front
and back end Fuel Cycle Facilities). Major Programme – 2 :
Nuclear Power Programme - Stage 2. (Envisages setting up of Fast Breeder Reactors - FBRs - backed by reprocessing plants and
plutonium based Fuel Fabrication Plants). Major Programme – 3 :
Nuclear Power Programme - Stage 3 - and Beyond. (Based on Thorium Reactors)
Major Programme – 4 : Advanced Technologies and Radiation Technologies and their Applications.
Major Programme – 5 : (Basic Research)
Major Programme – 6 : (Research Educational Linkage).
Major Programme – 7 : (Infrastructure and Housing)
4. DAE’s Plan programmes are multidisciplinary in nature. For their execution, DAE has
evolved as a broad based organisation comprising research centres, industrial units, public sector
undertakings and fully aided autonomous institutions, along with service organisations. These
organisations are engaged in research, technology development and commercial
operations in the areas of nuclear power and associated technologies, radiation technologies and their applications, and basic research. These also enrich
university system through beneficial interaction with the system. 5. DAE has under its aegis – 5.1 Five Research Centres : - Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) – Mumbai, - Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) – Kalpakkam, - Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology (RRCAT) – Indore - Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre (VECC) – Kolkata,
- Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD) – Hyderabad. 5.2 Three Industrial Organisations : - Heavy Water Board (HWB) – Mumbai - Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC) – Hyderabad - Board of Radiation and Isotope Technology (BRIT) – Mumbai. 5.3. Three Service Organisations: - Directorate of Purchase & Stores (DPS) – Mumbai - Directorate of Construction, Services and Estate Management (DCSEM) – Mumbai - General Services Organisation (GSO) – Kalpakkam. 5.4 Five Public Sector Undertakings : - Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. (NPCIL) – Mumbai - Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Ltd., Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu - Uranium Corporation of India Ltd. (UCIL) – Jaduguda - Indian Rare Earths Ltd. (IREL) – Mumbai - Electronics Corporation of India Ltd. (ECIL) – Hyderabad. 5.5 Eight Aided Institutions : - Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) – Mumbai - Tata Memorial Centre (TMC) – Mumbai - Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics (SINP) – Kolkata - Institute of Physics (IOP) – Bhubaneshwar - Harish-Chandra Research Institute (HRI) – Allahabad - Institute of Mathematical Sciences (IMSc) – Chennai - Institute for Plasma Research (IPR) – Ahmedabad - Atomic Energy Education Society (AEES) – Mumbai 5.6 In addition to the above, DAE, through Board of Research in Nuclear Sciences (BRNS)
and National Board for Higher Mathematics (NBHM) promotes research in nuclear and allied
fields and mathematics, respectively. 6. The Programmes of DAE have been divided into the following Sectors for the purpose of
allocation of funds: 6.1 Research and Development Sector
6.1.1 This Sector includes research support for nuclear power programme as well as research
and development in non-electricity areas. It covers research and development for new power
reactor concepts and long term research, radioisotope technology with applications in medicine,
agriculture, industry and research; advanced technologies relating to accelerator, laser, computers,
materials and others, and basic and applied research in frontier areas of science and technology. 6.2 Industries and Minerals Sector 6.2.1 This Sector covers the programmes relating to the industrial units carrying out nuclear fuel
cycle activities and industrial applications of nuclear energy in non-electricity fields. 6.2.2 The Nuclear Fuel Cycle programme covers industrial activities which are ancillary to the
nuclear power sector and comprises design, construction and operation of industrial plants for ore
refining, fuel fabrication, heavy water production and others. 6.2.3 The programme relating to the Industrial Applications of Nuclear Energy in the non-
electricity fields addresses applications of radioisotope, laser and accelerator technologies in
medicine, food preservation, agriculture, industry and other such areas. 6.3 Power Sector 6.3.1 This Sector deals with the generation of electricity on commercial basis. It covers design,
construction and operation of pressurized heavy water reactors, fast breeder reactors and thorium
reactors, with associated safety aspects, on commercial scale as well as waste management
environment monitoring. 7. BUDGETARY SYSTEM The funding (Plan & Non-Plan) of the Sectors discussed above falls, as per the guidelines of the
Planning Commission/Ministry of Finance, under the following Demand numbers: 7.1 Demand No. 5 - Atomic Energy It covers expenditure of DAE and its organizations (Research & Development, Industries
and Minerals Sectors), as well as DAE Secretariat and Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB).
7.2 Demand No. 6 - Nuclear Power Schemes It covers expenditure towards (i) Financial support to Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd.,
(ii) Investment in equity to Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI), (iii) Waste
Immobilisation Plants, (iv) R&D work related to Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) and (iv)
Operational expenses of Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (RAPS) Unit-I and Fuel Inventory. 8. PLAN OUTLAY 2007-08 Demand No. 5 – Atomic Energy 8.1 The Plan Outlay for 2007-08 is Rs. 1215.00 crore (Outlay in 2006-07 was Rs.1003.00
crore) for Research and Development Sector is for pursuing the continuing Schemes of X Plan and
the new schemes of XI Plan of the Atomic Energy at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Indira
Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology, Variable
Energy Cyclotron Centre, Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research, Tata
Institute of Fundamental Research, Tata Memorial Centre, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics,
Institute of Physics, Institute for Plasma Research, Harish-Chandra Research Institute, Institute for
Mathematical Sciences, Atomic Energy Education Society and other institutions like Board of
Research in Nuclear Sciences, National Board for Higher Mathematics, etc. in the field of nuclear
science, carrying out national programmes and also for providing housing and infrastructural
facilities for the various Units and Aided Institutions of the Department and to meet the
expenditure towards International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). National Institute
of Science, Education and Research (NISER) is being setup at Bhubaneswar. 8.2 The Outlay for 2007-08 is Rs. 1227.14 crore (Outlay in 2006-07 was Rs. 921.17 crore) for
Industries and Minerals Sector. The Plan Outlay consists of Rs.931.85 crore, by way of budgetary
support and Rs.295.29 crore by way of Internal and Extra Budgetary Resources of Indian Rare
Earths Ltd. (IREL), Electronics Corporation of India Ltd. (ECIL) and Uranium Corporation of
India Ltd. (UCIL), the Public Sector Undertakings of the Department. The budgetary support
includes provisions for XI Plan new schemes and X Plan continuing schemes of Bhabha Atomic
Research Centre, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Nuclear Fuel Complex and Heavy
Water Board. Other Projects include development works as well as survey, prospecting and
exploration being pursued by Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research. The
outlay also includes for Board of Radiation and Isotope Technology for execution of projects
relating to production of radio-isotopes and nuclear medicines for supply to various hospitals and
industries including processing facility for cyclotron produced radio isotopes and
radiopharmaceuticals. From the budgetary support, Investment in Equity in Uranium Corporation
of India Ltd., a Public Sector Undertaking of the Department is also envisaged.
Demand No. 6 – Nuclear Power Schemes 8.3 The total Outlay under Power Sector for 2007-08 is Rs. 4125.15 crore (Outlay in 2006-07
was Rs. 3897.10 crore). The Plan Outlay consists of Rs.2449.15 crore by way of budgetary support
and Rs. 1676.00 crore by way of Internal and Extra Budgetary Resources. Of the total budgetary
support the provision includes (Rs. 926.00 Crore for investment in equity for Bharatiya Nabhikiya
Vidyut Nigam Ltd. (BHAVINI). The provision also includes Rs. 1418.09 crore for the Externally
Aided Projects at Kudankulam being executed by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd.
with the assistance of Russian Federation. Projects of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre and that
of Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research are to provide R&D Support for the Power
programme. 9. The Committee was provided with a comparative statement showing the Budget
Estimates 2007-2008 (Gross) which were proposed and finally
approved. BE 2007 - 2008 (Rs in crore)
Proposed Approved Variation
Demand No. 5 Atomic Energy Plan (BS) 2386.86 2146.85 -240.01
Plan (IEBR) 295.29 295.29 0
Total Plan 2682.15 2442.14 -240.01
Non Plan 2912.59 2468.71 -443.88
Total 5594.74 4910.85 -683.89
Demand No. 6 Nuclear Power Schemes
Plan (BS) 2751.18 2449.15 -302.03
Plan (IEBR) 1676.00 1676.00 0
Total Plan 4427.18 4125.15 -302.03
Non Plan
1345.20 1345.20 0.00
Total
5772.38 5470.35 -302.03
Demand 5 + 6
Plan (BS) 5138.04 4596.00 -542.04
Plan (IEBR) 1971.29 1971.29 0
Total Plan 7109.33 6567.29 -542.04
Non Plan
4257.79 3813.91 -443.88
Total
11367.12 10381.20 -985.92
BS = Budgetary Support IEBR = Internal and Extra Budgetary Resources. 10. In reply to a query regarding adequacy of funds allocated to the Department, the Committee
was informed that the allocation under Plan schemes is sufficient to meet the targeted activities
under the Demand No 5 Atomic Energy . The short fall under Demand No 6 Nuclear Power
Schemes will be reviewed at Revised Estimates stage depending upon the necessity of funds which
is mainly for the Russian credit for the ongoing nuclear power project of Nuclear Power
Corporation of India Limited at Kudankulam. 11. The Committee was also informed that as far as the non-plan allocation is concerned, the
shortfall under the Non-Plan side of the Demand No. 5 Atomic Energy is Rs 443.88 crore.
Major portion of this is intended for Industries sector where operational needs of the Heavy Water
Production, Nuclear Fuel Complex, Fuel Reprocessing Plants of Bhabha Atomic Research
Centre(BARC), etc Further the operational and maintenance expenditure towards the completed
X Five Year Plan schemes, apart from the O & M expenditure of the existing facilities are also
likely to be affected on account of the shortfall in allocation of the non plan funds. 11.1 As the lower allocation may affect the operational requirement, Department will request
for augmentation of funds through the first/second batch of Supplementary Grants. The Ministry
of Finance also indicated that the additionality beyond the approved BE 2007-08 under non-plan
will be considered at Revised Estimates stage. 11.2 The Committee observes that the Department has informed the Committee regarding a
similar reduction of Rs. 312.89 crores in the non-plan allocation under demand no. 5, during the
Demands for Grants for the year 2006-07, and the Department had raised its concerns on the
operational needs of the Heavy Water Plants, Nuclear Fuel Complex, Board of Radiation and
Isotope Technology, Fuel Reprocessing Plants of the BARC. The Committee had accordingly
recommended in its 160th Report (recommendation no.15) that any curtailment of funds in a crucial
sector like Atomic Energy could delay the endeavour of the Department to increase the
contribution of nuclear power in the total power production and in other important areas of
the country. 11.3 The Committee expresses its serious concern at the fact that the issue has not been
resolved and has arisen again and there has been reduction of Rs. 443.88 crores in the non-plan
allocation under demand no. 5 for year 2007-08; which is even more than the earlier reduction of
Rs. 312.89 crores during the year 2006-07. 11.4 The Committee strongly feels that any curtailment of funds for operational and maintenance
reasons and any institute especially like BARC, which is involved in high-end and innovative
research areas, slows down the pace of sustained growth attained over the years in the field of
atomic energy. The Committee therefore stronglyrecommends that the Department should take
up the issue of persistent reduction in the non-plan allocation (Demand No. 5) with the
Ministry of Finance expeditiously and impress upon them the urgent need for increased allocation
to enable the Department to maintain the progress in field of nuclear energy.
12. NUCLEAR POWER PROJECTS UNDER CONSTRUCTION
12.1 The Committee was informed that presently, six reactors at three sites namely, 2x1000
MWe LWRs at Kudankulam (Tamilnadu); 2x220 MWe PHWRs at Kaiga (Karnataka) and 2x220
MWe PHWRs at Rawatbhata (Rajasthan) are under construction. Their estimated cost and
schedule of completion are summarised in the following Table:
Scheme/ Location
Capacity (MWe) Cost <Rs. In Cr.> Completion Date
Original Revised Anticipa- ted
Approved Actual / Anticipated
Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP-1&2)
2X1000 LWRs
13171 13171
Unit-1 Dec 2007 Unit-2 Dec 2008
Unit-1 Dec 2007 Unit-2 Dec 2008
Kaiga Atomic Power Project Units -3&4 (Kaiga-3&4)
2X220 PHWRs
4213 3282 2877
Unit-3 March 2007 Unit-4 Sep 2007
Unit-3 March 2007 Unit-4Sep 2007
Rajasthan Atomic Power Project Units-5&6 (RAPP-5&6)
2X220 PHWRs
3072 2800
Unit-5 Aug 2007 Unit-6 Feb 2008
Unit -5 Aug 2007 Unit-6 Feb 2008
12.2 The Committee was also informed that out of the six units under construction with a total capacity
of 2880 MWe, one unit i.e. Kaiga-3 of 220 MWe is targeted for completion during the X Plan i.e. by March,
2007. Completion of the remaining five units with capacity addition of 2660 MWe (Kaiga-4, KKNPP-1&2
and RAPP-5&6) is planned during the first two years of the XI Plan. The Committee was further informed in
the meeting held on the 2nd April, 2007, that Kaiga-3 has achieved criticality in February, 2007.
12.3 The Committee commends the fact that Kaiga-3 has attained criticality in February, 2007, which is
one month ahead of the actual/anticipated date of completion i.e. March, 2007. The Committee also
commends the Department for the progress made on the construction of the remaining five nuclear power
units which are progressing as per schedule. The Committee is of the opinion that in view of the severe
shortage of power being faced by the country presently, nuclear energy is fast appearing to be an inevitable
answer to sustain the power requirements of the country. The Committee therefore desires that the pace of
construction should be maintained for the ongoing power projects and in future efforts should be made to
complete the planned projects within the targeted dates.
13. MONITORING MECHANISMS FOR ONGOING PROJECTS
13.1 In reply to a query regarding the details of mechanisms developed by the Department to monitor and
review the progress of the ongoing schemes before formulating/finalizing proposals for budgetary support;
the Committee was informed that the structure of monitoring and review mechanism of projects in the
Department of Atomic Energy is as follows: (i) First the Project Co-ordinator and his group of people reviews and monitors the progress of ongoing
projects on day to day basis. (ii) Above this, the Unit Head reviews and monitors the projects on month-to-month basis and tries to
remove constraints/lacuna if any and monitors the financial and physical progress of projects. (iii) Finally, at the Department level, Special Secretary/Secretary takes monitoring and review meeting
quarterly to review the physical and financial progress of the projects and tries to remove any procedural
bottleneck amongst the Units/Divisions for smooth progress of projects so that there is no time/cost overrun
of projects. (iv) After the above review process the Department assesses the requirement of fund in each
project and formulates the proposal for budgetary support in the form of RE for the current year
and BE for the next financial year. 13.2 The Committee was also informed that apart from this, 20 Specialist Groups (SG) have
been formed one each for one theme for overseeing the activities of Department during XI
Plan. Also Internal Working Groups (IWG) for each sector have been formed to formulate, review
and monitor the progress of XI Plan Schemes.
13.3 The Committee desires that the existing reviewing mechanisms developed by the
Department to monitor and review the progress of the ongoing schemes/projects before
formulating/finalizing proposals for budgetary support should be strengthened to eliminate the
scope of shortage or surrender of funds at a later stage. 14. UNDER UTILIZATION OF FUNDS IN THE YEAR 2006-07 14.1 In reply to a query pertaining to the details of projects where funds have remained unutilized
in the year 2006-07 and measures taken by the department to complete them within a specified
time frame; the Committee was informed as follows: 14.2 Power Sector: 14.2.1 Under the Power Sector, the RE 06-07 was reduced by Rs.526.32. The NPCIL has decided
not to avail Equity assistance as the projects under NPCIL is funded by Internal surplus (IEBR)
in view of the large equity base and strong position of cash surplus to meet the equity commitments
of the ongoing project. Reduction also was made under the investment to Bharatiya Nabhikiya
Vidyut Nigam Ltd. (BHAVINI) due to delay in finalization of the contracts for supply of
equipment and materials as these are first of its kind. It is expected that the progress as targeted
in 2007-08 will be fully achieved and accordingly budgetary provision is made in BE 2007-08. 14.3 Mineral Sector: 14.3.1 Under the Mineral sector, an amount of Rs.89.58 crore was reduced mainly due to scaling
down the investment in Uranium Corporation of India Ltd. as they could not get the statutory
clearance from various agencies. Reduction was made in DAE Projects due to slow progress of
the Projects. Reduction under Atomic Minerals Directorate (AMD) projects was made due to non
availability of platform for heliborne survey in parts of Cuddapah basin. The Projects are expected
to get materialized during 2007-08 and accordingly the budget provided in 2007-08.
14.4 Industries Sector : 14.4.1 Under Industries sector the RE 06-07 was reduced by Rs.61.16 crore. This was mainly
under the various projects of Nuclear Fuel Complex, Heavy Water Board, Indira Gandhi Centre
for Atomic Research , Board of Radiation and Isotope Technology etc due to delay in procurement
of equipment , delay in mechanical, instrumentation work and retendering of procurement of some
of the equipments for New Zirconium Complex, Pazhayakayal. It is expected that the projects
will progress as per schedule in 2007-08. 14.5 The Committee notes that the reasons attributed by the Department for the under utilization
of funds for the projects during the year 2006-07 are mainly administrative in nature viz. delay in
finalization of contracts for supply of equipments and materials, delay in getting statutory
clearance from various agencies etc. The Committee is of the opinion that these administrative
problems can be easily resolved through proper planning and coordination with the agencies
involved in supplying equipments or granting clearances for the strategic projects of the
department. The Committee also recommends that the department should ensure strict compliance
of the terms agreed to by the agencies supplying equipments, to avoid procedural delays.
15. ASSISTANCE TO UNIVERSITIES /INSTITUTIONS/ AWARENESS PROGRAMMES
15.1. In reply to a query regarding increase in assistance to Universities/Institutions/Awareness
programmes the Committee was informed about the following detailed break-up of the provision
made under the Head “Assistance to Universities, Research Institutions, Societies and Non-
Government Institutions”: (Rs. in Crore)
SNo Details BE 06-07 RE 06-07 BE 07-08
1 Public Awareness and Neighbourhood Welfare Programmes
1.50 0.17 0.40
2 Exhibitions 2.00 1.75 2.00 3 Fellowships 1.70 2.05 4.20 4 Symposia 2.00 2.00 3.00
5 Board of Research in Nuclear Sciences 34.35 35.00 40.00
6 Miscelleneous R&D Schemes 1.25 2.21 2.50
7 National Board of Higher Mathematics 12.02 11.59 13.00
8 Assistance to Radiation Medicine Centres & Cancer Hospitals
6.00 8.00 24.00
9 External Relations Programmes 0.12 0.17 0.12
10 Prospective Research funding 1.00
Total 60.94 62.94 90.22 15.2 The department also informed that in addition to Assistance to Universities the Grant-in-
aid is being utilized for Public Awareness and Neighbourhood Welfare programmes, Exhibitions,
Fellowships, and Miscellaneous R&D schemes, Assistance to Radiation Medicine Centres and
Cancer Hospitals, External relations programmes etc. The fund provided under National Board of
Higher Mathematics (NBHM) is being utilized towards library grant to Universities; travel grant
to mathematicians from Universities to go abroad for participating in conferences; scholarships to
MSc and PhD students working at Universities; financial assistance for organizing
conferences/workshops etc. in Universities and Research Institutions. In addition the Board of
Research in Nuclear Sciences (BRNS) is an Advisory Committee constituted by the Department
to recommend financial assistance to all the renowned Universities/Research Institutions/ Libraries
etc. both, to encourage and promote scientific research in the areas which are relevant to the
mandate of the Department. There are around 250 projects for financial assistance from the various
Universities/Research Institutions. 15.3 In reply to a query regarding the requirement of increased grants for Universities involved
in the field of Nuclear Science; the Secretary of the Department stated that the training and funding
for the University sector is absolutely crucial. The Department follows two systems for funding
the universities involved in Nuclear Science research. In the first system, it seeks proposals for the
projects from universities and other laboratories, reviews it and based on the model of the project,
it gives sanction for projects. The second system is the proactive system of funding, wherein
instead of the universities coming to the department, the department itself approaches the
university with various proposals for research. The amount involved in such proactive funding is
quite large in proportion. 15.4 The Committee feels that by investing substantially in research in the field of nuclear
science at University level and even at undergraduate level, helps in attracting more students and
developing their interest towards nuclear science. In this direction the Committee commends that
more universities should be brought under the proactive system of funding and efforts should be
made towards inculcating the interest of students in the science stream at higher secondary level
in the field of Atomic Energy. 15.5 The Committee notes that only a miniscule amount of Rs. 0.40 crores and Rs.2.00 crores
has been allocated for Public awareness and Neighbourhood welfare programmes and exhibitions
respectively. The Committee feels that there is an urgent need to develop interest and awareness
of the masses and especially the interest of the new generation towards the subject of Atomic
Energy in general and to dispel the negative impression of the public towards nuclear power. The
Committee is of the opinion that the department should allocate more funds towards mass
awareness programmes in the field of nuclear science. 16. RADIOPHARMACEUTICALS 16.1 The Committee was also informed that the Department through its Nuclear Medicine
Centres such as Bhaba Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Tata Institute of Fundamental
Research(TIFR), Board of Radiation and Isotope Technology (BRIT) etc. is also engaged in the
production in Radiopharmaceuticals viz. Iodine-131, phosphorous-32, Chromium-51 etc. which
are quite useful in the treatment of various diseases.
16.2 About the projects on Radio Pharmaceuticals the Secretary of the Committee informed that
this activity is being pursued both on the research front and in industrial supply front. The basic
research on this is done in basic research institutions i.e. TIFR, BRIT and BARC. The BRIT is
also involved in commercial production and marketing of radiopharmaceuticals. Radio
pharmaceuticals have been divided into two categories—therapeutic or palliative and
diagnostic. There is no shortage in therapeutic field and reactors, like BARC, are able to produce
all the radiopharmaceuticals required to meet the demand. As far as diagnostic radio
pharmaceuticals are concerned, they are of two types. The ones that doctors prefer are the
radiopharmaceuticals, for which we need reactors which are of high-specific activity and which
are being imported. There are another set of radio isotopes which can be made using cyclotrons,
which are not produced in the reactors and soon that type of isotope will be produced at Kolkata. 16.3 The Committee feels that diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals are an important constituent of
the various diagnostic tools used for the detection of life threatening diseases like cancer,
thaleseemia, tumors etc. and therefore desires that efforts should be made by the Department to
produce the second variety of radiopharmaceuticals in the country itself, which would decrease
our dependence on imports.
17. INDO-UNITED STATES JOINT CIVILIAN NUCLEAR ENERGY AGGREMENT 17.1 The Committee was informed that discussions are on with the United States of America
for opening up of international cooperation and trade with India in uranium and civilian nuclear
power. The first dialogue in this regard took place in the first half of 2005 and understandings
reached have been included as part of joint statement issued on 18 July 2005 during the visit of
Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to Washington. The discussions have continued and a
separation plan; according to which India is required to separate its civilian and nuclear facilities;
was finalized in March 2006 and was elaborated and placed on the floor of the Parliament on May
11, 2006..
17.2 The Committee was further informed that Parameters for further negotiations have been
clearly spelt out by the Prime Minister in his reply to discussions in the Rajya Sabha on Civil
Nuclear Energy Cooperation with the US on 17 August 2006. The Agreement for bilateral
cooperation has not yet been concluded and is still under negotiations. To ensure that fuel supply
is made available to India on a regular basis, adequate provisions have been made in the separation
plan referred to earlier.
17.3 The Committee was also informed that India has modest reserves of uranium and vast
reserves of thorium and that the resolve to provide long-term energy security hinges on effective
use of this modest quantity of uranium leading to maximum energy potential through fuller use of
uranium and thorium. This is the prime objective of the three-stage programme being pursued by
the Department of Atomic Energy, which is designed to derive maximum benefit from the nuclear
fuel resources available within the country. The three stages, however, need to be implemented
sequentially with each stage involving its own technology development effort both for the nuclear
reactor as well as for the associated fuel cycle. The country has now reached a level of maturity in
terms of the first stage that is Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) technology. PHWRs
being set up by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. are based on state of art technology
and are operating at high availability factors. Construction period of these reactors is comparable
with the best in the world. 17.4 The Committee was also informed that the Department has launched construction of 500
MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor after completing the necessary Research & Development
work. However, there is a need to sustain work across the complete Research-Development-
Demonstration and Deployment [RD3] chain in respect of technologies for 2nd and 3rd stages. This
development programme in many ways would be unique to India with no parallel elsewhere and
therefore, ability to carry out all developmental programmes leading up to commercially robust
technology in an autonomous manner must be maintained. Since the evolution of each stage is
dependent on the fissile material availability from the previous state, we need to ensure that
adequate fissile material is available to take the technology development through the RD3 chain. 17.5 The Department also informed that India now has the possibility of opening up of
international cooperation and trade in India in uranium and civilian nuclear power, which is a
welcome development and can provide additionalities to our indigenous programme. As a matter
of fact, the programme of 20,000 MWe nuclear power by the year 2020 envisaged by the DAE in
1995 did include 8,000 MWe capacity to be established through imported Light Water Reactors
(LWRs/VVERs). Two reactors of 1000 MWe each are under construction at Kudankulam in
technical cooperation with Russian Federation and we have signed a Memorandum of Intent with
Russian Federation to construct 4 more reactors at the same site. Considering large electricity
demand, we can set up many more reactors in cooperation with other countries. While such
additionalities could enable a more rapid nuclear power capacity addition in the short run, long
term growth would come only by pursuing a closed cycle approach involving reprocessing of spent
fuel including that of foreign origin and use of recovered plutonium in fast breeder reactors. 17.6 In fact, pursuit of closed fuel cycle is a matter of policy for us as the policy ensures fuel
resource sustainability and also provides for credible waste management by reducing waste
volumes. With regard to international cooperation we are moving forward in a positive manner
and in view of our stated policy, which was articulated by the Prime Minister in Parliament as
well, we need to have explicit provision enabling reprocessing in all bilateral cooperation
agreements which India might enter into in future. 17.7 The Committee feels that with the fast depleting conventional sources of energy, the
agreement with the United States would result in a quantum jump in our nuclear energy generating
capacity and would provide the much needed energy security to the country which is essential for
the country’s growth. The Committee desires that the cooperation in nuclear research activities
should also increase and India should be able to join the international mainstream and occupy its
rightful place among the top countries in the nuclear community. The Committee also desires that
the Department should ensure that in future, the Country is able to pursue it nuclear energy
activities, whether civilian or military, as per it own national interests.
18. After considering the Demands for Grants of the Department of Atomic Energy and
assessing the progress of various important programmes and projects administered by it, the
Committee recommends that the budgetary allocation of Rs.3796.85 Crores under Demand No.5
(Atomic Energy) and Rs.2333.15 Crores under Demand No. 6 (Nuclear Power Schemes) as sought
by the Department for the year 2007-08 may be approved.
******* Summary of Recommendation
1. The Committee observes that the Department has informed the Committee regarding a
similar reduction of Rs. 312.89 crores in the non-plan allocation under demand no. 5, during the
Demands for Grants for the year 2006-07, and the Department had raised its concerns on the
operational needs of the Heavy Water Plants, Nuclear Fuel Complex, Board of Radiation and
Isotope Technology, Fuel Reprocessing Plants of the BARC. The Committee had accordingly
recommended in its 160th Report (recommendation no.15) that any curtailment of funds in a crucial
sector like Atomic Energy could delay the endeavour of the Department to increase the
contribution of nuclear power in the total power production and in other important areas of
the country. (Para 11.2) 2. The Committee expresses its serious concern at the fact that the issue has not been resolved
and has arisen again and there has been reduction of Rs. 443.88 crores in the non-plan allocation
under demand no. 5 for year 2007-08; which is even more than the earlier reduction of Rs. 312.89
crores during the year 2006-07. (Para 11.3)
3. The Committee strongly feels that any curtailment of funds for operational and maintenance
reasons and any institute especially like BARC, which is involved in high-end and innovative
research areas, slows down the pace of sustained growth attained over the years in the field of
atomic energy. The Committee therefore strongly recommends that the Department should take
up the issue of persistent reduction in the non-plan allocation (Demand No. 5) with the
Ministry of Finance expeditiously and impress upon them the urgent need for increased allocation
to enable the Department to maintain the progress in field of nuclear
energy. (Para 11.4) 4. The Committee commends the fact that Kaiga-3 has attained criticality in February, 2007, which is
one month ahead of the actual/anticipated date of completion i.e. March, 2007. The Committee also
commends the Department for the progress made on the construction of the remaining five nuclear power
units which are progressing as per schedule. The Committee is of the opinion that in view of the severe
shortage of power being faced by the country presently, nuclear energy is fast appearing to be an inevitable
answer to sustain the power requirements of the country. The Committee therefore desires that the pace of
construction should be maintained for the ongoing power projects and in future efforts should be made to
complete the planned projects within the targeted dates. (Para 12.3) 5. The Committee desires that the existing reviewing mechanisms developed by the
Department to monitor and review the progress of the ongoing schemes/projects before
formulating/finalizing proposals for budgetary support should be strengthened to eliminate the
scope of shortage or surrender of funds at a later
stage. (Para 13.3) 6. The Committee notes that the reasons attributed by the Department for the under utilization
of funds for the projects during the year 2006-07 are mainly administrative in nature viz. delay in
finalization of contracts for supply of equipments and materials, delay in getting statutory
clearance from various agencies etc. The Committee is of the opinion that these administrative
problems can be easily resolved through proper planning and coordination with the agencies
involved in supplying equipments or granting clearances for the strategic projects of the
department. The Committee also recommends that the department should ensure strict compliance
of the terms agreed to by the agencies supplying equipments, to avoid procedural
delays. (Para 14.5) 7. The Committee feels that by investing substantially in research in the field of nuclear
science at University level and even at undergraduate level, helps in attracting more students and
developing their interest towards nuclear science. In this direction the Committee commends that
more universities should be brought under the proactive system of funding and efforts should be
made towards inculcating the interest of students in the science stream at higher secondary level
in the field of Atomic Energy. (Para 15.4) 8. The Committee notes that only a miniscule amount of Rs. 0.40 crores and Rs.2.00 crores
has been allocated for Public awareness and Neighbourhood welfare programmes and exhibitions
respectively. The Committee feels that there is an urgent need to develop interest and awareness
of the masses and especially the interest of the new generationtowards the subject of Atomic
Energy in general and to dispel the negative impression of the public towards nuclear power. The
Committee is of the opinion that the department should allocate more funds towards mass
awareness programmes in the field of nuclear science. (Para 15.5) 9. The Committee feels that diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals are an important constituent of
the various diagnostic tools used for the detection of life threatening diseases like cancer,
thaleseemia, tumors etc. and therefore desires that efforts should be made by the Department to
produce the second variety of radiopharmaceuticals in the country itself, which would decrease
our dependence on imports. (Para
16.3) 10. The Committee feels that with the fast depleting conventional sources of energy, the
agreement with the United States would result in a quantum jump in our nuclear energy generating
capacity and would provide the much needed energy security to the country which is essential for
the country’s growth. The Committee desires that the cooperation in nuclear research activities
should also increase and India should be able to join the international mainstream and occupy its
rightful place among the top countries in the nuclear community. The Committee also desires that
the Department should ensure that in future, the Country is able to pursue it nuclear energy
activities, whether civilian or military, as per it own national
interests. (Para 17.7) 11. After considering the Demands for Grants of the Department of Atomic Energy and
assessing the progress of various important programmes and projects administered by it, the
Committee recommends that the budgetary allocation of Rs.3796.85 Crores under Demand No.5
(Atomic Energy) and Rs.2333.15 Crores under Demand No. 6 (Nuclear Power Schemes) as sought
by the Department for the year 2007-08 may be
approved. (Para 18)
*******
MINUTES
XI ELEVENTH MEETING
The Committee met at 11.00 a.m. on Monday, the 2nd April, 2007 in Room No. 139, First
Floor, Parliament House Annexe, New Delhi.
PRESENT
1. Shri P.G.Narayanan –– Chairman
RAJYA SABHA
2. Dr. Prabha Thakur 3. Shri Suryakantbhai Acharya 4. Shri Bhagirathi Majhi 5. Shri Saman Pathak 6. Shri Jabir Husain 7. Dr. Barun Mukherjee
LOK SABHA 8. Dr. Sujan Chakraborty 9. Shri Thupstan Chhewang 10. Shri Francis Fanthome 11. Shri Babubhai K. Katara 12. Smt. Neeta Pateriya 13. Shri Bachi Singh ‘Bachda’ Rawat 14. Shri K.C. Singh “Baba” 15. Smt. Jayaben B. thakkar 16. Shri Sita Ram Yadav
SECRETARIAT Shri R.K.Singh, Officer on Special Duty Shri Alok Chatterjee, Deputy Secretary
Representatives of the Department of Atomic Energy
1. Dr. Anil Kakodkar, Secretary, DAE 2. Shri R.C. Joshi, Special Secretary, DAE 3. Dr. R.B. Grover, Director, SPG, DAE 4. Shri V.P. Raja, Additional Secretary (I&M), DAE 5. Dr. C.V. Ananda Bose, JS, DAE 6. Shri S. Mendiratta, Joint Secretary, DAE 7. Shri S.K. Jana, Chief Controller of Accounts, DAE 8. Shri S.K. Sharma, Chairman, Atomic Energy Regulatory Board 9. Shri S.K. Jain, CMD, Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. 10. Shri A.K. Kohlki, Chief Executive, BRIT 11. Shri Arun Kumar, GM, UCIL 12. Shri S. Thakur, Executive Director, Nuclear Power Corp. of India Ltd. 13. Dr. S. Banerjee, Director, BARC 14. Shri Ramendra Gupta, CMD, Uranium Corporation of India Ltd. 15. Dr. Bikash Sinha, Director, Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre 16. Prof. Abhijeet Sen, Institute of Plasma Research 17. Smt. Uma Sheshadri, Sr. Scientist, IGCAR
* * *
2. The Chairman welcomed the Secretary and other officials of the Department of
Atomic Energy and requested the Secretary to make a presentation on Demands for
Grants (2007-08) of the Department. Thereafter, the Secretary made a visual presentation
regarding the major activities formulated for the year 2007-08 and achievements of the
Department during the year 2006-07. He also mentioned about the budgetary allocations
under different heads as also the functioning of the Department. Thereafter, Members
sought clarifications on the points that emerged out of the presentation. The Secretary
replied to them.
The officials then withdrew.
3. * * *
4. * * *
5. * * *
A verbatim record of the proceedings was kept.
5. The Committee then adjourned at 05.40 p.m. to meet again at 11.00 a.m. on Tuesday,
the 3rd April, 2007.
________________________________________________________________________*** Relates to other matters.
XIV FOURTEENTH MEETING
The Committee met at 11.00 a.m. on Friday, the 20th April, 2007 in Room No. ‘63’, First
Floor, Parliament House, New Delhi. PRESENT
1. Shri P.G. Narayanan ----- Chairman RAJYA SABHA
2. Shri Kamal Akhtar 3. Shri Jabir Husain 4. Dr. Barun Mukherjee
LOK SABHA
5. Dr. Sujan Chakraborty 6. Shri Thupstan Chhewang 7. Shri Francis Fanthome 8. Shri Brahmananda Panda 9. Shri Pratik Prakashbapu Patil 10. Shri Bachi Singh ‘Bachda’ Rawat 11. Shri Aruna Kumar Vundavalli 12. Shri Mitrasen Yadav
SECRETARIAT Shri R.K. Singh, Officer on Special Duty Shri Alok Chatterjee, Deputy Secretary Shri S. Rangarajan, Committee Officer
2. The Committee took-up for consideration its draft ***, ***, ***, ***, ***, ***; and 176th
Reports on the Demands for Grants (2007-2008) pertaining to the ***; ***; ***; ***; ***;
Departments of Atomic Energy and *** respectively. The Committee adopted all the
reports with some minor changes.
3. * * *
4. The Committee also decided to present all the seven reports (170th to 176th) on 26th
April, 2007 in both the Houses of Parliament. The Committee authorized its Chairman
and in his absence Dr. Barun Mukherjee to present the reports in Rajya Sabha and to lay
the copies of the reports on the table of Lok Sabha by Dr. Sujan Chakraborty and in his
absence by Shri Thupstan Chhewang. 5. * * *
6. The Committee then adjourned at 12.05 p.m.
________________________________________________________________________*** Relates to other matters.
# Smt.Viplove Thakur ceased to be a Member of the Committee w.e.f. 30th November, 2006 * Shri Rampal Singh Nominated to the Committee w.e.f. 8th December, 2006.
