Parliament Question: Implementation concerns of SHANTI Act

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO – 1 ANSWERED ON 29/01/2026 IMPLEMENTATION CONCERNS OF SHANTI ACT

1. SHRI S.R. SIVALINGAM

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:-

(a) the regulatory mechanisms Government has established under SHANTI Act to monitor joint ventures and private firms operating nuclear reactors; and

(b) the strategy Government has adopted to counter international claims regarding potential security lapses and unauthorized sale of radioactive materials? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

(a) The SHANTI Act allows joint ventures and private firms for the production, use and disposal of nuclear energy under a license from Central Government and safety authorisation from the regulatory board. The license issued will have terms and conditions that include provisions for the implementation of security, safeguards, radioactive waste disposal etc. Moreover, the Safety Authorisation include provisions for implementation of safety regulation for the safe operation of Nuclear Power Plants under.

The licensee will also be responsible for the decommissioning of the Nuclear Power Plant and the operator of such nuclear installations will be responsible to have sufficient financial security for the compensation of civil nuclear damages caused by nuclear incidents.

(b) The SHANTI Act has provisions for penalties and offences for any breach or violation of the provisions of the Act. The offences are cognizable under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. Regarding unauthorised removal or unlicensed use of radioactive material, the SHANTI Act mandates penalties consisting of imprisonment, fine or both.

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