Sir — This refers to the editorial, “Not in nation’s interest” (September 21). Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has kept the country in the dark about the civil nuclear deal with the US. The US Government knew that Mr Singh could be persuaded to do its bidding. Therefore, it resorted to flattery and heaped fulsome praise on him, recognising him as an ‘intellectual leader’ of the country.
Mr Singh was enormously pleased with such words. Without deep cogitation and careful consideration and without taking adequate time to think over the nuclear negotiation, he accepted it as being good for India.
After the country signed the nuclear deal with the US, Parliament passed the Civil liability of Nuclear Damage Act in August 2010, holding the supplier of nuclear equipment responsible for a mishap.
This was done because the country had suffered the horrific Bhopal gas tragedy which claimed the lives of thousands and wherein foreign operators literally got away with murder. Even the case of compensation to the victims continues to be a contentious matter to date.
The nuclear liability Act is just and desirable as it preserves national interest. Any attempt to revise and modify it or take steps in contravention of this legislation is unacceptable. It is better not to enter into a deal with foreign operators if the spirit of the Act has to be bypassed.