Droupadi Murmu Signs SHANTI Bill, Opening Nuclear Sector to Private Firms

President Droupadi Murmu has endorsed the SHANTI Bill, a significant legislative measure approved by Parliament in the recent Winter Session, marking a pivotal development for India’s civil nuclear energy landscape. The official announcement from the government revealed that the President signed the bill on Saturday.

Officially titled the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India, the SHANTI Bill replaces outdated regulations including the Atomic Energy Act of 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act of 2010, which had impeded the growth of the nuclear industry in India.

The new legislation empowers private entities and joint ventures to construct, manage, and decommission nuclear power facilities, contingent upon obtaining a government license. This initiative paves the way for enhanced private sector involvement while bolstering India’s nuclear framework.

However, certain critical operations, such as uranium and thorium mining, enrichment, isotopic separation, spent fuel processing, high-level radioactive waste management, and heavy water production, will remain under the sole jurisdiction of the central government or its associated organizations.

The SHANTI Bill is designed to modernize India’s civil nuclear landscape, promote private investments, and increase energy generation, all while ensuring government oversight and safety across essential nuclear activities. This landmark reform is anticipated to enhance India’s energy security and facilitate sustainable development in the near future.