221st report on the nuclear safety regulatory authority bill presented in Rajya Sabha

The department-related parliamentary standing committee on science and technology, environment and forests tabled its 221st report on

the nuclear safety regulatory authority bill, 2011 in Rajya Sabha last week. The committee, in its suggestions on the bill which seeks to

establish a legal authority and regulatory bodies for nuclear radiation safety has recommended the following:
8The Bill should specify that the delegation of powers and functions by the 'nuclear safety regulatory authority', shall be made only to such

officers or authorities of the state government who have necessary competence to efficiently and effectively perform the delegated functions
8The provision for an appellate authority consisting of a judge of Supreme Court or the Chief Justice of a High Court and two eminent

scientists as Members would be an appropriate forum to hear the appeals of aggrieved persons. The Committee, therefore, is of the view, that

the existing clause of the bill on the issue may be retained
8The Committee has found that the number of Members of the search committee which is proposed to be constituted for the selection of the

chairperson and members of the Authority has not been specified. The committee has accordingly recommended that the composition of the search

committee should be clearly specified and not left open to discussion or interpretation.
8The Committee sees no rationale in the Authority seeking previous approval of the Central Government for making regulations for purposes

specified in the Bill, particularly, as in no case these regulations can be inconsistent with the provisions of this Act or the Rules made

thereunder. The Committee, therefore, is of the opinion that the government should re-look into this provision.