This refers to the report that CPI(M) has asked the Centre to reject the U.S. demand for changes in the nuclear liability law. While one should commend the Left party’s morals to call a spade a spade, it is not understandable as why the ruling Congress and the main opposition party BJP should be tongue-tied over such an important subject. Shouldn’t they tell in one voice to the visiting U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton – that the Nuclear Liability law was enacted in the Parliament after a thorough debate over the issue – and no meddling in the provisions of the law is acceptable? Can’t they see the intention of the U.S. to absolve the suppliers from the onus of compensating the victims in case of an accident? In the milieu of the Fukushima disaster, it is time, all democratic forces in India are united – that Section 17(b) which provides for foreign supplier’s liability is the backbone of the nuclear liability law.
Syed Sultan Mohiddin
Kadapa, A.P.