Explained: What Is the SHANTI Bill Passed by Lok Sabha and Why Is It Being Strongly Opposed?

The

Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed a key piece of legislation that could fundamentally change how nuclear power is produced in India. The Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill seeks to open India’s tightly controlled civil nuclear sector to private participation, a space that has so far remained largely under government control.The bill was passed by voice vote amid a walkout by opposition members, who demanded that it be sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for detailed scrutiny. The government, however, described it as a "milestone legislation" crucial for India’s energy future.

What does the SHANTI Bill propose?At its core, the SHANTI Bill allows private companies to enter various segments of the nuclear energy sector, including setting up and operating nuclear power plants, subject to licensing by the central government. Until now, nuclear energy generation in India has been dominated by public sector entities under laws such as the Atomic Energy Act, 1962.The government argues that private investment is essential if India is to meet its ambitious target of generating 100 gigawatts (GW) of nuclear power by 2047, a sharp rise from the current contribution of around 3 per cent to the national power mix.Union Minister Jitendra Singh said the bill aligns India with global benchmarks and clean energy goals. He stressed that as India’s geopolitical role grows, it must adopt global strategies in energy production, particularly as the world shifts toward cleaner sources of power.Why does the government support it?Members of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) strongly backed the bill during the debate. BJP MP Shashank Mani said it would benefit every Indian by boosting investment, generating employment and making the country energy sufficient.

NDA allies shared this view. JD(U) MP Alok Kumar Suman said the bill would help ensure 24-hour power supply and could increase nuclear power production nearly tenfold. TDP MP Krishna Prasad Tenneti pointed out that several countries generate up to 50 per cent of their electricity from nuclear power, while India lags far behind.Supporters also argued that while private companies would be allowed to innovate, the government would retain control over safety and radioactive materials.Why is the opposition opposing it?Opposition parties across the spectrum raised sharp objections, calling the bill risky, incomplete and tilted in favour of private and foreign companies.Congress MP Manish Tewari led the charge, arguing that the bill dilutes key provisions of the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010. He warned that weakening supplier liability could harm India in the event of a nuclear accident. He also opposed repealing both the Atomic Energy Act of 1962 and the 2010 liability law.Tewari said the bill lacks a clear framework for handling radioactive waste and prioritises uranium-based reactors over thorium and molten salt reactors, which are central to India’s long-term three-stage nuclear programme.

Why did Shashi Tharoor call it a “dangerous leap”?Congress MP Shashi Tharoor delivered one of the strongest critiques, calling the bill a “dangerous leap into privatised nuclear expansion” without adequate safeguards.He said the proposed law is full of exceptions, heavy on government discretion and largely indifferent to public welfare. Questioning its clarity, Tharoor remarked that it seemed more like an “unclear bill” than a nuclear one.

Tharoor also raised serious concerns about safety, environmental protection and victim justice. He argued that the bill misleadingly describes nuclear energy as “clean and abundant” while ignoring risks from radioactive leaks, long-lived nuclear waste and catastrophic accidents.He also highlighted the proposed liability cap of roughly USD 460 million (about Rs 3,910 crore), calling it grossly inadequate when compared to disasters such as Fukushima and Chernobyl, which cost hundreds of billions of dollars.Other key concerns raisedSeveral MPs questioned whether private companies could match the safety standards of public sector operators. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant asked how the government would ensure the same level of accountability.TMC MP Saugata Roy said nuclear energy is inherently risky and argued that the liability cap should be at least USD 500 million. He also claimed India lacks sufficient raw materials and that the bill opens the door to foreign investment without adequate safeguards.Samajwadi Party MP Aditya Yadav accused the government of rolling out the “red carpet” for US and French companies, questioning how this aligns with the “Make in India” programme. DMK MP Arun Nehru termed the bill’s name “SHANTI” an oxymoron, citing past nuclear accidents in Japan and Russia as warnings.