License for regular operation
The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) on July 10, 2015 granted license for regular operation of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project Unit-1 (KKNPP-1) which is valid for five years (till July, 2020).
AERB has carried out extensive review of the safety aspects of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant Unit-1, including siting, design, construction, commissioning and power operation. The safety reviews carried out by AERB followed a multi-tier review process, which was done over several years. The reviews were carried out considering the safety requirements specified by AERB which are consistent with current international safety requirements including those stipulated by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Thus, KKNPP satisfies the requirements specified by AERB as well as the current international standards.
This information was given by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in reply to unstarred question in Lok Sabha today.
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Strategic Uranium reserve
The Government is creating a "Uranium Reserve" by importing uranium to ensure our atomic power reactors under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards do not face shortage of the nuclear fuel.
Twenty one (21) nuclear power reactors are under operation in the country with an installed generating capacity of 5780 MWe. Thirteen (13) reactors with a total installed capacity of 3380 MW are under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards and are eligible for imported fuel. To meet requirement of fuel for reactors under IAEA safeguards, agreements for import of uranium have been signed with M/s Navoi Mining & Metallurgical Combinat State Company (NMMC), Uzbekistan; M/s JSC TVEL Corporation, Russia; M/s CAMECO, Canada and M/s NAC Kazatomprom, Kazakhstan.
The latest agreement for import of Uranium from M/s Kazatomprom, Kazakhstan covers an import of 5000 MT of Uranium Ore Concentrate over a period of 5 years. Eight (8) reactors with a total installed capacity of 2400 MW are fuelled by indigenous fuel. The Government have made efforts to augment indigenous uranium supply by opening of new mines and processing facilities thus narrowing down the demand-supply gap for reactors using indigenous fuel. As a result, there has been a progressive improvement in capacity utilisation of nuclear power plants.
The Government is planning to set up new nuclear fuel complex in the country. The Hyderabad-based Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC) is setting up a facility at Kota, Rajasthan to manufacture fuel assemblies required for four numbers of 700 MWe Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs), two each at Kakrapar (Gujarat) and Kota (Rajasthan), being constructed by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL).
This information was given by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in reply to unstarred question in Lok Sabha today.
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Membership of CERN
India has initiated the process of acquiring the Associate Membership of the Centre for European Nuclear Research (CERN), the largest particle physics laboratory.
A proposal for India becoming Associate Member of the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) has been approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security on 25.03.2015. Upon approval of the Government, the CERN, Geneva has been intimated that India has completed its internal processes regarding its application for Associate Membership of CERN so as to facilitate completion of further procedural aspects.
The annual contribution of India as Associate Member of CERN is estimated at Rs. 50 crore.
This information was given by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in reply to unstarred question in Lok Sabha today.
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Genetically Modified bananas
Genetic engineering technique enables development of disease resistance as well as nutritional quality improvement. Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) is developing iron biofortified banana for nutritional quality improvement. The other parameters of this genetically engineered banana plant include incorporation of Vitamin A and fungal and viral disease resistance which is undertaken in other Institutes participating in Department of Biotechnology (DBT) project on transgenic bananas.
Genetically Modified (GM) bananas under development by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) would be available to general public only after completion of trial and Government’s approval.
Genetically Modified bananas can be given to public or school children only after their usage has been approved by regulatory authorities (Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) for open field planting. The transgenic plants need to be evaluated in a contained facility initially before planting in the open field.
This information was given by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in reply to unstarred question in Lok Sabha today.
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