Ravi Karandeekar's News Links Blog of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's Vote of Confidence on July 22

India firm on right to nuclear fuel reprocessing

2009-12-20T08:02:00.004+05:30

Srikumar Banerjee, chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), said here on Saturday that the country was firm on securing the right to reprocessing nuclear fuel under the Indo-US civil nuclear deal. The deal is in the final stages of getting operationalised.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the College of Engineering, Pune's (CoEP) second global reunion, Banerjee said, "We have to be sure that we have the right to reprocess spent fuel, which will be generated by the nuclear reactors."

Referring to the Indo-US negotiations for a reprocessing agreement, Banerjee said, "We are working on this aspect." Negotiations on the reprocessing deal began in July. Among other things, the reprocessing agreement is critical to enabling American companies enter the civil nuclear sector in India.

Under the 123 Agreement, the US had agreed that India will set up a national facility dedicated to reprocessing safeguarded nuclear material under the International Atomic Energy Agency.

However, both sides had to agree on the "arrangements and procedures" under which reprocessing would take place in this new facility. "We have given them (the US) the possibility of two sites (for the reprocessing facility)," Banerjee said.

To read more, please, visit The Times of India

GE hopes to build at least one Indian nuclear plant

2009-11-10T19:54:00.003+05:30

General Electric Co expects to build at least one nuclear power plant in the country following last year's US-India civil nuclear cooperation pact, a senior official said on Monday.

In July, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had said Delhi had approved two sites for US companies to build nuclear power plants, offering American companies the first fruits of last year's landmark agreement.

ibnlive

Why alternative energy sources such as biofuels, solar, and nuclear are not the magic ticket - By Michael Grunwald

2009-08-28T06:27:00.000+05:30

As the world looks around anxiously for an alternative to oil, energy sources such as biofuels, solar, and nuclear seem like they could be the magic ticket. They're not.

4: "Nuclear Power Is the Cure for Our Addiction to Coal."

Nope. Atomic energy is emissions free, so a slew of politicians and even some environmentalists have embraced it as a clean alternative to coal and natural gas that can generate power when there's no sun or wind. In the United States, which already gets nearly 20 percent of its electricity from nuclear plants, utilities are thinking about new reactors for the first time since the Three Mile Island meltdown three decades ago -- despite global concerns about nuclear proliferation, local concerns about accidents or terrorist attacks, and the lack of a disposal site for the radioactive waste. France gets nearly 80 percent of its electricity from nukes, and Russia, China, and India are now gearing up for nuclear renaissances of their own.
To read more, please, visit Foreign Policy

Pokhran II successful, insists Kalam

2009-08-27T23:25:00.000+05:30

Seeking to put a lid on the controversy over Pokhran II nuclear explosions, former President A P J Abdul Kalam on Thursday said the tests were successful and had generated the desired yield

"After the test, there was a detailed review, based on the two experimental results: (i) seismic measurement close to the site and around and (ii) radioactive measurement of the material after post shot drill in the test site," Kalam said.

"From these data, it has been established by the project team that the design yield of the thermo-nuclear test has been obtained," said Kalam, who as director general of the Defence Research and Development Organisation, spearheaded the nuclear tests in 1998.

India conducted five nuclear tests on May 11 and 13, 1998 at the Pokhran range in Rajasthan which included a 45 kiloton (kt) thermonuclear device, called as hydrogen bomb in common parlance.

To read more, please, visit The Times of India

India's first fast breeder reactor by 2010

2009-08-21T00:04:00.000+05:30

India will commission its first 500-Mw fast breeder reactor (FBR) for generating commercial nuclear energy by the end of next year. The reactor, when commissioned, will mark the country's entry into the second phase of its three-stage nuclear energy programme, reports Sudheer Pal Singh.

The first prototype FBR at Kalpakkam (in Tamil Nadu) will be commissioned by the end of 2010, said R Chidambaram, principal scientific adviser to the government of India.

The government plans four more FBRs in the country by 2020. The site for two of these additional FBRs have been identified at Kalpakkam."
To read more, please, visit Rediff Business News

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G-8 resolution on nuke tech transfer won't hit India: PM

2009-07-29T19:58:00.005+05:30

PM on Wednesday told Lok Sabha that he is not sure whether the 45-member NSG will endorse the G-8 stand on transferring enrichment and reprocessing technologies to non-NPT countries.

Singh said, “India has no civil nuclear agreement with G-8 per se. We have civil nuclear agreements with US, Russia and France."

PM added, “My understanding is that there is no consensus in the Nuclear Suppliers Group to bar India from accessing enrichment and reprocessing technologies.”
To read more, please, visit - The Times of India

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U.S., India begin sensitive talks on atom fuel supply

2009-07-25T00:36:00.003+05:30

The United States and India have begun talks to flesh out rules for Indian reprocessing of spent U.S. atomic fuel, a crucial part of a nuclear cooperation pact critics fear will erode non-proliferation standards.

Talks got under way in Vienna after the sides agreed during a New Delhi visit by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on two sites for U.S. firms to build nuclear reactors under the pact, which lifts a 34-year nuclear ban on atomic trade with India.

Washington and New Delhi have allowed up to a year to settle on ways to ensure spent U.S. fuel is reprocessed in India for electricity at designated civilian reactors subject to U.N. inspections, not turned into plutonium for nuclear weapons.
To read more, please, visit - Yahoo! India News

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Creating the demand for science and technology graduates

2009-01-04T07:47:00.003+05:30

"Look at the role played by public investment in nuclear energy, space and defence-related industry in creating the demand for science and technology graduates. We need a wave of such investments from the private sector, so that young people are encouraged to seek a career in science,' said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who was in Shillong to inaugurate the 96th Indian Science Congress.

He added that 'demand-side stimulus must come from institutions and industry'.

'Several schemes and programmes based on public-private partnership have been launched. We are encouraging partnership programmes with the corporate sector to promote privately-funded research. I am happy to learn that Nasscom and Ficci have been engaged in this effort,' said Singh.

Singh also assured to double the investment in science from the present one per cent of the national income to two per cent."
To read more, please, visit - The Tribune, Chandigarh

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Indian parliament vote of confidence Prime minister Manmohan Singh nuclear deal with the United States July 22, 2008

No nuclear power plants by private firms for now

2008-12-31T12:51:00.005+05:30

Private players looking to set up nuclear power plants with full management control may have to wait as the government is yet to develop any mechanism for assessing the liability of operators in the event of an accident.

The experts point out that private players can still take part in the sector once the civil nuclear liability bill is cleared, but as part of joint ventures. Recently, Atomic Energy Commission chairman Anil Kakodkar had said the private sector should join hands with NPCIL as minority partners to gain experience in the nuclear business.

The Atomic Energy Act of India 1962, the law that regulates nuclear power generation activities in the country, does not allow private players in the sector. The government has earlier announced that the Act will be amended to accommodate the private sector.

NPCIL runs 17 reactors and five are under construction at various stage. According to the AEC, the country aims to generate 20,000 mw of nuclear power by 2020, of which half would come from indigenously developed Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors. About 5,000 mw of electricity is expected to be generated through imported reactors.
To read more, please, visit - The Economic Times

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‘We will raise capacity 5-fold in five years’ - S K Jain, chairman, NPCIL

2008-10-13T18:07:00.007+05:30

The nuclear deal between India and the US has infused a new lease of life into the country’s sole nuclear power company. The Nuclear Power Corp of India (NPCIL), which had so far managed to install 4120 mw of capacity, has set its eyes on an ambitious target of 22,000 mw in the next five years. S K Jain, the chairman and managing director of NPCIL, tells DNA Money’s Promit Mukherjee that the company is well equipped to grab the opportunity coming its way. Read more: - Daily News & Analysis

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In an informal agreement between the two nations, the United States says it would halt any nuclear cooperation should India resume testing

2008-10-02T11:47:00.002+05:30

In exchange for access to U.S. nuclear technology, India would allow international inspections of its civilian -- but not military -- nuclear power plants. It would also promise not to resume testing of nuclear weapons.

The United States banned nuclear trade with India after India exploded a nuclear device in 1974 and refused to sign the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.

Sen. Tom Harkin, an Iowa Democrat, spoke against what he called flawed legislation before the vote.

"If we pass this legislation, we will reward India for flouting the most important arms control agreement in history, the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, and we will gravely undermine our case against hostile nations that seek to do the same," Harkin said.

Before he voted against the bill, he said Congress had not debated the legislation properly.

"It was hustled through [the House of Representatives] without any hearings and without a vote in the House Foreign Affairs Committee," he said. "Here in the Senate, the Foreign Relations Committee held just one hearing with just one witness who spoke in support of the agreement."

Presidential candidates Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain voted for the bill.

The House of Representatives passed the bill without debate on Saturday. The next step is for Bush to sign it into law. To read more, please, visit - Senate approves nuclear deal with India - CNN.com

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U.S. Senate passes nuclear pact with India on Wednesday night, opening the door for U.S. energy companies to enter India's fast-growing market

2008-10-02T09:49:00.006+05:30

India's power-generation capacity is lagging far behind the country's expanding energy needs. The economy has grown an average of 8.7% each year over the past five years. That trend, combined with rising incomes, has lifted electricity demand by 9% a year.

Other countries have expressed interest in getting into the Indian market, and France concluded its own civilian-nuclear deal with India on Tuesday.

For U.S. companies, the deal will open a multibillion-dollar market for the sale of everything from power-transmission equipment to airplanes. Suppliers of technology and equipment, including General Electric Co. and Westinghouse Electric Co., a unit of Toshiba Corp., hope to benefit from India's nuclear-power plans. To read more, please, visit - Senate Approves Nuclear-Energy Pact With India - WSJ.com

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MyBlogLog verifiaction

2008-08-14T08:01:00.000+05:30

Undergoing MyBlogLog Verification

Cash-for-vote: BJP MPs allege tape tampering

2008-08-08T07:55:00.000+05:30

"Two of the three BJP MPs, who shocked the Lok Sabha on the confidence vote day by displaying bundles of currency notes, today alleged that the tapes regarding the sting operation have been tampered with.

Ashok Argal and Fagan Singh Kulaste, who appeared before the seven-member Parliamentary Committee examining the 'cash-for-vote', interestingly made the charge to reporters but did not make it before the panel.

The two MPs, who deposed before the committee together, contended that their version was not recorded in the tapes. Usually deponents appear before a Parliamentary committee individually."
- Yahoo! India News

Indian parliament vote of confidence Prime minister Manmohan Singh nuclear deal with the United States July 22, 2008

America has a vested interest in India's success

2008-08-08T07:47:00.000+05:30

"I believe that America and India should stand shoulder to shoulder as this momentous process unfolds. That is one reason why I supported the historic civil nuclear deal. I supported it unequivocally, unlike my opponent in this election, who sought to attach 'killer amendments' that would have scuttled the accord and greatly set back our partnership.

India has been a responsible, law-abiding power, and it should be further integrated into the global effort to control proliferation of dangerous technologies, not marooned in some permanent 'half-way' status.

India should be able to take maximum advantage of new technologies that can provide energy without depending ruinously on imported, greenhouse gas-emitting fossil fuels.

I am pleased that the American Congress prevented killer amendments from sinking this pact before it had a chance to move forward. Now that it is progressing, it should be a major step - but only one among many - in a robust program of strategic partnership between our nations."
America has a vested interest in India's success - Yahoo! India News

Indian parliament vote of confidence Prime minister Manmohan Singh nuclear deal with the United States July 22, 2008

India can run into a hurdle at Nuclear Suppliers Group because countries like New Zealand have a strong non-proliferation agenda

2008-08-01T14:00:00.000+05:30

"The stage is all set for India’s big day in Vienna on Friday when the board of governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency meets to ratify the safety agreement on the Indo-US nuclear deal.

There is quiet optimism here in the capital, with the government confident there will be no major glitches at the IAEA board. Queries may be raised by several countries which India and the IAEA secretariat officials may have to answer.

But the major worry in the foreign ministry is the next stage when the 45-member Nuclear Suppliers Group meets to discuss a clean waiver for India. As a country which has refused to sign the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, India needs an exemption as a special case from the NSG.

The Prime Minister’s special envoy Shyam Saran is expected to visit New Zealand to explain India’s point of view. Western diplomats said if Saran’s mission is made public it could lead to much pressure from the strong anti-nuclear lobby both inside and outside the government. At the moment there is not much awareness about the India-US
nuclear deal or the decisive role NSG members like New Zealand will play in getting a waiver for India.!?
DNA - India - India can run into a hurdle at NSG - Daily News & Analysis

Indian parliament vote of confidence Prime minister Manmohan Singh nuclear deal with the United States July 22, 2008

Emergence of Rahul Gandhi as a credible politician

2008-07-31T08:58:00.000+05:30

The third - and equally significant - event was the emergence of 39-year old Rahul Gandhi, who is widely regarded as a future prime minister, as a credible parliamentary performer. When the fallout of the latest drama has cooled down, this will be seen an important step in Gandhi’s development as the heir apparent to three former prime ministers: his father Rajiv Gandhi; his grandmother Indira Gandhi; his great grandfather Jawaharlal Nehru; and his mother, Italian-born Sonia Gandhi, who leads the Congress Party and UPA coalition.

Until now, Rahul Gandhi has failed to emerge as a competent politician, despite having been a member of parliament for four years and being projected as the Gandhi’s heir. In recent months, he has been laboriously touring the poorest parts of India, meeting people and hearing their problems - preparing himself, he has said, for his political future. This week, for the first time, he spoke with confidence in parliament about energy security and the benefits of nuclear power. He parried interruptions and coped calmly with the parliament having to be adjourned because opposition MPs objected to some things he was saying.
Riding the Elephant Bribery claims cloud India parliament ahead of U.S. nuke deal «

Indian parliament vote of confidence Prime minister Manmohan Singh nuclear deal with the United States July 22, 2008 Rahul Gandhi Rajiv Gandhi Indira Gandhi Jawaharlal Nehru Sonia Gandhi Congress Party UPA coalition

The behavior of India’s politicians – evident in last week’s confidence vote won by the government - was common in Britain 250 years ago

2008-07-30T21:11:00.000+05:30

I’m not saying (before angry commentators rise up in fury) that Indian politics are stuck in the groove of 18th century Britain. I’m simply pointing out that politicians are the same everywhere (is the U.S. any better?). So congratulations to all the Yadavs, to Mayawati, to Jayalalitha, and yes, to perpetuators of India’s mushrooming dynasties. You are heirs to a great tradition!
Riding the Elephant: This Elephant is off to fresh pastures «

Indian parliament vote of confidence Prime minister Manmohan Singh nuclear deal with the United States July 22, 2008

Indian government, grappling with high inflation, not to do anything that might alienate voters when general elections are less than a year away

2008-07-30T11:16:00.000+05:30

Economists say the government could revive plans to sell part of its equity in public sector companies to shore up its finances.

There could also be some good news for foreign investors - foreign investment in the insurance sector is likely to be raised from 26 percent at present to 49 percent.

However more controversial reforms are expected to remain on the backburner.

Economist D.H. Pai Panindiker, who heads an independent research group in New Delhi, the RPG Goenka Foundation, says the government is unlikely to concede to a long-standing demand of industry to change India's archaic labor laws.

"They will definitely stay away from labor reform, which can create a lot of uncertainty or some kind of apprehension among some sections of society," he said. "For example if you make labor a contract, it may create some dissatisfaction in the working class."
VOA News - Indian Government Expected to Revive Economic Reform After Confidence Vote

Indian parliament vote of confidence Prime minister Manmohan Singh nuclear deal with the United States July 22, 2008 plans to sell part of its equity in public sector companies foreign investment in the insurance sector D.H. Pai Panindiker, RPG Goenka Foundation India\\\'s archaic labor laws Anjana Pasricha, VOA

India-US civil nuclear deal to create 100,000 new jobs for the 30-odd reactors that India hopes to set up to meet its deadline of 20,000 MW by 2020

2008-07-30T10:51:00.000+05:30

Union Minister of State for Commerce and Power Jairam Ramesh, visiting the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE)'s Kalpakkam campus in Tamil Nadu, said "Nearly 10,000 MW of nuclear power would be generated from indigenous reactors, 8,000 MW from light water reactors and 2,000 MW from Fast Breeder Reactors (FBR)."

Thousands of engineers, technicians and scientists would be needed to run these establishments, he underlined.

"India's 17 nuclear reactors have the capacity to generate 4,120 MW, but in 2007 they could produce only 1,800 MW due to lack of fuel," Ramesh said.

By 2020, India is likely to import 6 light water reactors while six nuclear plants are under construction to beef up generation capacity, said Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd Technical Director S A Bhardwaj.
N-deal bonanza:

Indian parliament vote of confidence Prime minister Manmohan Singh nuclear deal with the United States July 22, 2008 Union Minister of State for Commerce and Power Jairam Ramesh Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu light water reactors Fast Breeder Reactors (FBR) engineers technicians scientists jobs India\'s 17 nuclear reactors Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd S A Bhardwaj, Technical Director, N. P. C. of I.

End of power without accountability?

2008-07-29T11:21:00.000+05:30

"It is just that with all this murky water flowing under the bridge, one does regret the fact that for sheer crudeness, opportunism, vulgarity, rejection of all civil norms of governance and absolutely no-holds barred attitude, Indian polity has no parallel.

Today, when the distinction between political allies, opposition, blackmailers and posture-mongers, and in some cases even crooks, is rapidly beginning to blur, politics has been reduced to nothing beyond the votes of illiterate masses for the next election by hook and more often by crook.

To most of us, perhaps, the nuclear deal is an act of faith. Few of us are nuclear experts or experts at understanding complex international treaties so that to most of us, when a world class economist like Dr Manmohan Singh or a world class missile scientist like Mr Abdul Kalam tells the nation that the deal is good for the country, that is good enough for us.
End of power without accountability?- Guest Writer-Opinion-The Economic Times

Indian parliament vote of confidence Prime minister Manmohan Singh nuclear deal with the United States July 22, 2008

Members of Parliament brandishing wads of currency notes - the degeneration of Indian politics

2008-07-29T11:02:00.000+05:30

"The images of the MPs brandishing wads of currency notes were shown repeatedly on television. Indeed, those would soon become the metaphor for what commentators called the degeneration of Indian politics.

Money had all along played a major role in Indian politics. Legislators invariably spend far more than the legally permissible limit on their election campaigns. And a vast portion of the election funds consist of unaccounted black money.

Yet, never before had the country watched such graphic evidence of corruption."
Sordid display of money politics

Indian parliament vote of confidence Prime minister Manmohan Singh nuclear deal with the United States July 22, 2008

India as nuclear exporter - Swaminathan A Aiyar

2008-07-28T11:39:00.001+05:30

This echo of Swaminomics made me feel good. Yet, Rahul's vision was limited to the power emanating from India becoming a big buyer. He could not see that, once India's nuclear isolation ends, it can also become a major exporter of nuclear equipment. Thus, it can impact the world as a seller, not just as a buyer.

This may seem a giant leap in imagination. Yet, we have already achieved this in several fields. When India started opening up in 1991, critics predicted that Indian companies would go bust or become subordinates of MNCs. Instead, Indian companies have become MNCs in their own right, acquiring foreign giants including Corus and Jaguar. We can do so in nuclear equipment too.

Indian technical competitiveness is very broad. Starting from obscurity, Bharat Forge is now World No 2 in auto forgings, Suzlon is World No 5 in windmills, Moser Baer is No 4 in compact discs and optical discs, and Essel Propack is global No 1 in laminated plastic tubes.

Microsoft, Intel and IBM are all using Indian engineers to improve their high-tech products. Top pharmaceutical MNCs are using India as an R&D base.

Carlos Ghosn of Renault-Nissan has decided to build a small car in collaboration with Bajaj Auto. Now, Bajaj is a two-wheeler producer that has never made a car. Yet, Ghosn has entrusted the R&D for the small car to Bajaj, believing that its engineering depth is so strong that it will do a better job than Renault-Nissan's engineers.

Last month, I met officials of Areva, France's huge nuclear equipment MNC. They said the global nuclear power industry grew very slowly for decades after the accidents at Three Mile Island and Chernobyl. But today's high oil and gas prices had persuaded every country to once again build massive nuclear power stations. This huge demand for equipment could not be met by existing suppliers, so massive new capacities were needed. Part of this would have to be located in countries with low costs and high engineering skills - like China and India. Areva itself wants such facilities in India, once the nuclear deal goes through.

General Electric, Westinghouse and other equipment suppliers will also need new production hubs to meet the exploding world demand. They will find India a good production base, to meet both Indian and world demand.

China plans to expand nuclear power sixfold by 2020, and fourfold again by 2030 to 160 GW. It has given contracts to Westinghouse and Areva for six new nuclear power plants. These provide for transfer of technology to China, and indigenisation of production. This will enable Chinese companies to make the most modern nuclear power equipment themselves.

To begin with, these companies will manufacture for the domestic market. But they hope to emerge in due course as major exporters. India needs to take exactly the same route.

Indian machinery manufacturers already aim to become major players. L&T has long made nuclear reactors, and plans a new plant of Rs 1,800 crore for nuclear forgings. Anil Ambani is interested in entering this field, and he casts a long shadow. The Jindals and Bharat Forge are interested in making nuclear forgings - the world currently suffers from a severe shortage of forging capacity for nuclear reactors. Bharat Heavy Electricals has long made small reactors for our indigenous nuclear programme, and would like to scale up.

To begin with, these companies may have technical and equity tie-ups with MNCs. This will facilitate the first stage, involving transfer of know-how and indigenisation of components. But as they develop, Indian companies will improve on imported designs, and become world class themselves. They will then bid to supply not just India but the whole world, as they have done in so many other fields.
-Swaminomics-Swaminathan A Aiyar-The Times of India

Indian parliament vote of confidence Prime minister Manmohan Singh nuclear deal with the United States July 22, 2008 Swaminathan S Anklesaria Aiyar Swaminomics Rahul Gandhi exporter of nuclear equipment nuclear power plants nuclear reactors nuclear forgings

N-deal is also an export opportunity - Prithviraj Chavan, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office

2008-07-28T10:31:00.000+05:30

Will you allow private players to take part in the nuclear business?

Prithviraj Chavan: "The present position is that the government of India permits only companies owned by it to take part in the nuclear business. To enter the field of atomic energy, the company must have at least 51 per cent share owned by the central government. The minority shares can be owned either by a state government or private parties.

If private parties are to be allowed, the Atomic Energy Act will have to be amended. Whether the government will do it or not, it is for the Union Cabinet to take a call. But there are some other amendments to the Atomic Energy Act that are long overdue. Like we need to strengthen the atomic energy regulatory board."
The government will be wary of controversial economic reforms

Indian parliament vote of confidence Prime minister Manmohan Singh nuclear deal with the United States July 22, 2008 Lok Sabha elections 2009 UPA government economic challenges reform strategy Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Finance Minister P. Chidambaram UPA government Saubhadra Chatterji Nistula Hebbar Prithviraj Chavan, Minister of State in the P.M.’s Office Atomic Energy Act nuclear business atomic energy regulatory board cost of uranium fossil fuels

UPA won trust vote by ‘manipulations and poaching' - Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar

2008-07-25T20:22:00.000+05:30

"Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar resented the Centre's decision prohibiting the state government from entertaining any proposals for ethanol-based bio fuel.

'On one hand the Centre is going ahead with its unilateral campaign for the nuclear deal for production of energy but it is prohibiting power-starved Bihar from implementing projects to produce ethanol-based bio-fuel,' he said.

'It is gross injustice and I will make it a plank in the next Lok Sabha elections,' Kumar said.

Kumar alleged that the state government had lost investment proposals worth over Rs 20,000 crore because of the Centre's directive on the ethanol to be produced from cane juice. Had the Centre allowed production of ethanol, the state would have started producing 2000 MW power in next two to three years, he added.

'It was unfortunate that despite the assurance the state government received from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the Union Agriculture ministry banned manufacturing of ethanol-based bio fuels,' Kumar said"
- ExpressIndia.Com

Indian parliament vote of confidence Prime minister Manmohan Singh nuclear deal with the United States July 22, 2008 Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar ethanol-based bio fuel