The Winter Session of Parliament in 2025 witnessed a heated debate over India's nuclear energy future, centering on the proposed SHANTI Bill. The legislation, which aims to open the atomic energy sector to private participation, has sparked a significant clash between the government and the opposition over safety protocols and regulatory oversight.
Government's Ambitious Nuclear Vision and Opposition's Concerns
Minister of State for Atomic Energy, Jitendra Singh, presented the government's ambitious roadmap, pushing for a massive expansion of nuclear power capacity. The central goal is to achieve 100 gigawatts (GW) by the year 2047, marking the centenary of India's independence. This ambitious target hinges on facilitating private sector investment and participation in a domain long held exclusively by the government.
However, the proposal faced fierce criticism from Congress MP and former minister, Shashi Tharoor. He launched a pointed attack on specific provisions within the draft bill, highlighting what he termed "exploitable loopholes." Tharoor's primary contention revolves around clauses that grant the government the power to exempt certain nuclear plants from mandatory licensing and liability requirements if the perceived risk is deemed "insignificant."
The Core of the Controversy: Safety Versus Speed
The debate fundamentally pits the government's drive for rapid capacity addition against the opposition's demands for ironclad safety and accountability. Proponents argue that private investment is essential to meet the colossal 100 GW target and accelerate India's clean energy transition. They contend that the bill includes necessary safeguards.
Opponents, led by Tharoor, warn that the discretionary power to grant exemptions could undermine the entire regulatory framework. They argue that defining "insignificant risk" is subjective and could lead to compromises on safety standards in the pursuit of faster project approvals and lower costs for private players. This, they fear, could have grave long-term consequences.
Implications for India's Energy Future
The outcome of this parliamentary debate holds significant weight for India's strategic energy sector. The SHANTI Bill represents a paradigm shift, moving away from a state-controlled monopoly. Its passage could unlock substantial capital and technological innovation from the private sector, potentially transforming the nation's energy mix and reducing dependency on fossil fuels.
Yet, the concerns raised underscore the critical need for a robust, transparent, and non-negotiable safety architecture. The challenge for lawmakers is to craft a legislative framework that balances the urgency of scaling up clean nuclear power with the imperative of maintaining the highest possible safety standards to protect public and environmental health. The discussions in the Winter Session of 2025 are set to shape the trajectory of India's nuclear ambitions for decades to come.
