‘without Money It Is Unfair To Compare Us With The West’

The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board’s list of safety rules at reactors is said to be damning. What is your comment?

All the AERB has done is put together recent incidents—big and small. We’ve been monitoring from day one and have taken appropriate action. Safety at our plants is our top priority. We’re not interested only in the (financial) reputation of the NPC.

Are Indian nuclear plants both expensive and unsafe?

Without sufficient funding, it’s unfair to compare our performance with the West. The West has reached zero-growth power requirements. In the US, consortiums are working on nuclear plants even though they don’t want them. We’re not spending anything commensurate with that on R&D.

What about cost overruns? Costs at the Kaiga plant are said to have doubled.

I agree our long gestation periods cause cost overruns.

What is the main reason?

If you want us to go ahead you should give us more money. In 1987-88, the Centre approved advance procurements of about Rs 1,000 crore. We haven’t heard about it. For Kaiga III and IV we need Rs 4,000 crore.

Does the Government lack confidence in the NPC?

That the Government is pursuing the nuclear programme shows its confidence. But you should realise that we’re operating in a controlled regime. No one gives us equipment, technology, spare parts which can make our performance better.

Do you think the answer lies in privatisation?

Money is not all in this industry. Management, people and technology are. What we need is an attitudinal change.

You have outstanding bills worth Rs 880 crore from different SEBS. Why can’t you revise tariffs?

We’ve communicated this need to the Government. A committee has recommended a 15-20 per cent hike.