The online registration facilities e-lORA launched by the Atomic Energy Regulator Board (AERB) last year has failed to take off with just 228 centres having radiation-based diagnostic machines coming forward for mandatory licence. And, existing centres have declared just 2,562 radiation-based equipments.
The web-based application ‘e-licensing of Radiation Applications (e-lORA) was launched in 2013 with the objective to enhance the efficiency and transparency in the regulatory process by utilising automation of regulatory processes for registration of various radiation facilities, radiation professionals and exchange of information.
Under the e-lORA, new centres could obtain registration for operation of their equipment while the existing utilities could declare their equipment, and for those who already have obtained a valid licence record the X-ray equipment.
“As on March 31, 2014, around 228 ‘Registrations’ were issued through e-lORA, around 2,562 equipment were declared,” as per the annual report 2013-14 of the nuclear regulator.
The poor response has come despite the fact that country has been witnessing mushrooming of the diagnostic centres and nursing homes equipped with X-ray machines. The report also highlights on the safety issues of the nuclear power plants in the country.
It says that during the year, AERB continued its regulatory safety oversight on Indian operating nuclear power plants (20 units), nuclear power projects (6 units under construction and 1 unit under commissioning), several fuel cycle facilities, research units and large numbers of radiation facilities spread over the country. “All operating nuclear power plants and fuel cycle facilities under AERB’s purview operated safely during the year; radioactive discharges as well as doses to occupational workers were well within prescribed limits,” says the report.