left parties, CPI(M) and CPI, on Tuesday slammed the Modi Government for “surrendering” strategic and economic interests to US. The CPI(M) politburo in statement said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had succumbed to US pressures and surrendered nation’s interests by diluting liability clause in nuclear deal. CPI alleged that BJP led government had “rushed” to clinch the deal to favour multinational giants engaged in nuclear business.
“The outcome of the visit of President Obama has resulted in the Modi Government surrendering on some of the vital interests of the country both, strategic and economic, to US pressures....In sum, the Modi Government has set the course for a subordinate relationship with the US,” CPI(M) said in a statement.
It said the Civil Nuclear liability Act passed by Parliament in 2010 was meant to protect the right to Indian citizens to due compensation and relief in the event of a nuclear accident. “The liability of the supplier of nuclear reactors and equipment was specifically introduced given the dismal experience of the victims of the Bhopal gas tragedy. The Modi government in order to meet the persistent US demand to nullify such clauses in the law has chosen to circumvent them.
“By creating an insurance pool by Indian public sector insurance companies and financial contribution of Indian government together amounting to Rs1,500 crore, effectively, the supplier’s liability has been transferred entirely onto India and its taxpayers,” the party said.
CPI National Secretary D Raja said, “If media reports on this issue are correct, and the Government has agreed to form an insurance pool backed by public sector Indian companies to indemnify American suppliers, then this would violate both the letter and the spirit of the 2010 (nuclear liability) law.”