What’s in Today’s Article?

• India’s Nuclear Liability Law Latest News
• Introduction
• Reasons for India to Amend Its Nuclear Liability Law
• The Challenges of Amending CLNDA
• Potential Global and Economic Impact
• Conclusion
• Nuclear Liability Law FAQs

India’s Nuclear Liability Law Latest News

• The Central government has announced that it would amend its Civil Liability for Nuclear Damages Act and the Atomic Energy Act.

Introduction

• Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the U.S. and France (February 10-13, 2025), the Indian government has announced plans to amend its Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act (CLNDA) and the Atomic Energy Act.
• These changes aim to resolve long-standing concerns of American and French nuclear power companies, whose projects in India have remained stalled due to liability issues.
• This announcement marks a significant policy shift from the government’s 2015 stance, where it had categorically stated there was "no proposal to amend the Act or Rules". Now, the amendments could facilitate the implementation of major nuclear projects, such as:
  • Electricité de France (EDF)’s MoU to build six EPR1650 reactors in Maharashtra (Jaitapur)
  • Westinghouse Electric Company’s MoU to build six AP1000 reactors in Andhra Pradesh (Kovvada)
• Additionally, India plans to leverage Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology, which is gaining traction in developed economies.

Reasons for India to Amend Its Nuclear Liability Law

• Addressing Foreign Companies’ Concerns
  • Western nuclear power firms have hesitated to invest in India due to strict liability clauses in the CLNDA, 2010, which place a high degree of responsibility on suppliers for nuclear accidents.
  • This contrasts with the international Convention for Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage (CSC), which primarily holds operators liable.
  • The current law was introduced after intense parliamentary debates in 2012, where opposition parties—then led by the NDA—insisted on supplier liability, citing disasters like the Bhopal Gas Tragedy (1984) and Fukushima Nuclear Leak (2011).
  • However, this has discouraged investment from U.S. and French firms, who see India’s liability norms as a major financial risk.
• Expanding India’s Nuclear Energy Capacity
  • India’s current nuclear power capacity stands at 6,780 MW, comprising 22 reactors, with Russia’s Rosatom being the only foreign operator in the country.
  • The 2025 Budget has proposed a ₹20,000 crore allocation for nuclear energy development, with an ambitious target of 100 GW nuclear power capacity by 2047.
  • India is keen on developing Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), with five units planned for operationalization by 2033.
• Strengthening Strategic Partnerships with the U.S. and France
  • The U.S.-India Civil Nuclear Agreement (2008) aimed to promote nuclear energy collaboration but has remained largely unfulfilled due to liability issues.
  • France’s EDF has also faced years of delays in executing its Jaitapur project.
  • With Modi’s visit to Washington and Paris, India seeks to finalize deals and remove roadblocks for nuclear investments.

The Challenges of Amending CLNDA

• Domestic Political Opposition
  • The original 2010 CLNDA was passed after strong public and parliamentary debates, emphasizing that foreign companies should not be exempt from liability in case of nuclear accidents.
  • Any amendments that weaken supplier liability may face resistance from opposition parties and civil society groups.
• Legal and Regulatory Uncertainty
  • While experts support aligning CLNDA with global nuclear liability standards, there is concern over how the amendments will be structured.
  • The Ministry of External Affairs has declined to provide details on what the proposed changes will entail.
• Investor Confidence and Insurance Issues
  • To ease concerns, India created a ₹1,500 crore insurance pool (2019) to help cover nuclear damages, but this failed to attract major investors.
  • The amendments must ensure that both international companies and Indian operators feel confident in legal protections and compensation frameworks.

Potential Global and Economic Impact

• Unlocking Stalled Nuclear Projects
  • If CLNDA is amended, projects like Westinghouse’s AP1000 reactors in Andhra Pradesh and EDF’s Jaitapur plant could finally proceed, significantly boosting India’s clean energy capacity.
• Strengthening India’s Role in Global Nuclear Energy
  • India's push for SMRs aligns with international trends, where countries are investing in modular, cost-effective nuclear technologies. Partnering with the U.S. and France on nuclear energy will:
    • Enhance India's technological expertise
    • Diversify its energy mix
    • Reduce dependency on fossil fuels
  • U.S. and France’s Strategic Interest in India
  • The U.S. wants to increase energy exports, including nuclear technology, as part of its trade and strategic policies.
  • France, a global leader in nuclear power, sees India as a key market for its advanced reactor technology.
  • As a result, both countries are keen on resolving nuclear liability concerns to deepen economic and diplomatic ties with India.

Conclusion

• The proposed amendments to India’s nuclear liability law represent a crucial shift in policy, aimed at attracting foreign investment and unlocking long-pending nuclear energy projects.
• While this move could significantly expand India’s nuclear capacity, it must balance international obligations with domestic political considerations.
• As Prime Minister Modi heads to the U.S. and France, all eyes will be on whether these amendments can finally break the 15-year deadlock and position India as a major player in global nuclear energy.

Nuclear Liability Law FAQs

Q1. Why is India amending its Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act (CLNDA)?

Ans. India is amending the CLNDA to address foreign companies' concerns about supplier liability, which has stalled nuclear investments from the U.S. and France.

Q2. What major nuclear projects could benefit from the amendments?

Ans. The amendments could unlock stalled projects, including EDF’s six reactors in Maharashtra (Jaitapur) and Westinghouse’s six reactors in Andhra Pradesh (Kovvada).

Q3. How do India’s nuclear liability rules differ from international standards?

Ans. Unlike global norms, India holds suppliers liable for nuclear accidents, whereas most countries place responsibility only on operators under the Convention for Supplementary Compensation (CSC).

Q4. What challenges does the amendment face in India?

Ans. The key challenges include domestic political opposition, legal uncertainties, and ensuring investor confidence while balancing economic and safety concerns.

Q5. How will the amendments impact India’s nuclear energy sector?

Ans. By facilitating foreign investments and technology transfer, the amendments aim to boost India’s nuclear power capacity, support Small Modular Reactor (SMR) development, and reduce fossil fuel dependency.

Source: TH

What’s in Today’s Article?

• State’s Right to Acquire Private Property Latest News
• State’s Right to Acquire Private Property: Eminent Domain and Historical Background
• State’s Right to Acquire Private Property: Global Perspective on Property Rights
• State’s Right to Acquire Private Property: Land Acquisition in India
• Conclusion
• State’s Right to Acquire Private Property FAQs

State’s Right to Acquire Private Property Latest News

• Amid President Donald Trump’s accusing South Africa of confiscating private land, the article discusses the evolution of laws governing land acquisition and property rights in different countries, including South Africa, the US, and India. 
• It highlights the balance between private property rights and the state's power of eminent domain.

State’s Right to Acquire Private Property: Eminent Domain and Historical Background

• The concept of eminent domain refers to the authority of the state to acquire private land for public use, with or without compensation.
• The term traces back to Hugo Grotius in 1625, who described the idea that a sovereign can take private property for public necessity.
• The principle traveled to European colonies and influenced laws such as:
  • Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (India)
  • Expropriation Act, 1975 (South Africa)

State’s Right to Acquire Private Property: Global Perspective on Property Rights

• United Kingdom:
  • Magna Carta (1215) was the first instance where limits were placed on the King’s power to arbitrarily take property.
  • It required that land could only be taken “by the law of the land.”
• United States:
  • The Fifth Amendment (1791) states that private property cannot be taken for public use without just compensation.
  • In Kelo v. City of New London (2005), the US Supreme Court ruled that property acquisition to facilitate private economic development could be justified under “public use.”
  • Some US states, like Alabama, Delaware, and Texas, later restricted the use of eminent domain.
• South Africa: Article 25 of the Constitution states that no one can be deprived of property arbitrarily, but expropriation is allowed for a public purpose with just compensation.
• India:
  • The Constitution initially recognized the right to property as a fundamental right under Article 19.
  • In addition, Article 31 ensures that the property could not be taken into possession or acquired for public purpose unless the law provides for the compensation of such properties.
  • However, the 44th Constitutional Amendment (1978) removed it from the list of fundamental rights.
  • It is now a legal right under Article 300A, which ensures that property cannot be taken without legal authority.

State’s Right to Acquire Private Property: Land Acquisition in India

• Pre-2013 framework:
  • Governed by the Land Acquisition Act, 1894.
  • Allowed the government to acquire land for a “public purpose” with compensation.
  • Did not consider the impact on affected families beyond the landowner.
• Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition Act, 2013: It came into force to ensure:
  • Humane, participatory, and transparent land acquisition.
  • Social Impact Assessment (SIA) to evaluate the impact on affected communities.
  • Compensation, rehabilitation, and resettlement measures.

Conclusion

• Balancing public interest with private property rights is crucial.
• Different countries have evolved laws to regulate land acquisition, ensuring compensation and legal safeguards.
• In India, post-2013 reforms aimed at making the land acquisition process more just and transparent.

State’s Right to Acquire Private Property FAQs

Q1. Discuss the evolution of the right to private property in India, with special reference to constitutional amendments.

Ans. The right to property was originally a fundamental right under Article 19 and Article 31 but was removed by the 44th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1978, and is now a legal right under Article 300A.

Q2. Compare and contrast the Land Acquisition laws in India and the United States with respect to compensation and public use.

Ans. In the US, the Fifth Amendment mandates just compensation for land acquisition, while in India, the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, ensures fair compensation and rehabilitation with a Social Impact Assessment (SIA).

Q3. What is the doctrine of eminent domain, and how has it influenced land acquisition laws globally?

Ans. Eminent domain is the state's authority to acquire private land for public purposes with or without compensation, a concept traced to Hugo Grotius (1625) and later influencing laws like the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (India), and the Fifth Amendment (USA).

Q4. Analyze the key provisions of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition Act, 2013, and its impact on landowners and affected communities.

Ans. The 2013 Act mandates fair compensation, SIA, and rehabilitation, ensuring greater transparency and protecting the interests of landowners and displaced communities.

Q5. How does the principle of public interest justify land acquisition, and what ethical concerns arise in the process?

Ans. While land acquisition serves public interest through infrastructure development, ethical concerns include inadequate compensation, forced displacement, and social injustice, necessitating equitable rehabilitation policies.

Source: IE (Digital version not yet available)

What’s in Today’s Article?

• South Coast Railway (SCoR) Zone Latest News
• Reason for Creating the South Coast Railway (SCoR) Zone
• Divisions Under the South Coast Railway (SCoR) Zone
• Significance of the Waltair Division
• South Coast Railway (SCoR) Zone FAQs

South Coast Railway (SCoR) Zone Latest News

• The Union Cabinet approved the creation of the South Coast Railway (SCoR) Zone, the 18th railway zone of India, under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014.
• PM Modi laid the foundation stone for its headquarters in Visakhapatnam in January. The new zone is formed by reorganizing parts of the East Coast Railway and South Central Railway.
• Additionally, the Waltair Railway Division was split, with one part renamed as the Visakhapatnam Railway Division under SCoR, while the other part will become a new division based in Rayagada, Odisha, under the East Coast Railway.

Reason for Creating the South Coast Railway (SCoR) Zone

• Mandate Under Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014
  • As per Item 8 of Schedule 13 (Infrastructure) of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, Indian Railways was required to examine the feasibility of a new railway zone.
• Government Announcement and Strategic Importance
  • In February 2019, the Central government announced the creation of the South Coast Railway Zone.
  • It was done to enhance operational efficiency and cater to increasing passenger and freight demands.
• Economic and Logistic Benefits
  •  According to a senior railway official, the new zone will:
    • Support industrial and agricultural growth,
    • Improve logistics for major ports like Visakhapatnam and Krishnapatnam, and
    • Boost tourism to Tirupati and other cultural sites in Andhra Pradesh.
• Political Context
  • Despite a long-standing demand for a separate railway zone after Andhra Pradesh’s bifurcation, it was fulfilled only after political alignment between the state and the Centre.
    • The ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP), which came to power in 2024, is part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the Centre.

Divisions Under the South Coast Railway (SCoR) Zone

• Geographical Coverage
  • The SCoR zone will primarily cover Andhra Pradesh, along with parts of Telangana and Tamil Nadu.
• Key Railway Divisions
  • Vijayawada Division (from South Central Railway)
  • Guntur Division (from South Central Railway)
  • Visakhapatnam Division (part of the former Waltair Division)
• Sections Under Visakhapatnam Division (SCoR)
  • This division will cover approximately 410 km, including sections:
    • Palasa–Visakhapatnam–Duvvada
    • Kuneru–Vizianagaram
    • Naupada Jn.–Paralakhemundi
    • Bobbili Jn.–Salur
    • Simhachalam North–Duvvada bypass
    • Vadalapudi–Duvvada
    • Visakhapatnam Steel Plant–Jaggayapalem
• Rayagada Division Under East Coast Railway
  •  The remaining part of the Waltair Division (around 680 km) will be reorganized as a         fpnew division with headquarters at Rayagada, covering sections:
    • Kottavalasa–Bacheli
    • Kuneru–Theruvali Jn.
    • Singapur Rd.–Koraput Jn.
    • Paralakhemundi–Gunpur

Significance of the Waltair Division

• Major Revenue Generator
  • The Waltair Division is a key revenue source for Indian Railways due to its strong freight traffic, primarily linked to the mining and steel industries in Odisha and Chhattisgarh.
• Freight Performance of East Coast Railway (ECoR)
  • In FY 2023-24, ECoR set a record by loading 250 million tonnes of freight, surpassing the previous year’s record.
  • Division-wise Contribution:
    • Khurda Road Division: 156.17 million tonnes
    • Waltair Division: 74.66 million tonnes
    • Sambalpur Division: 19.20 million tonnes
  • ECoR became the first railway zone to exceed 200 million tonnes of freight loading for five consecutive years.
• Political Opposition in Odisha
  • Leaders from Odisha have opposed the reorganization, arguing that Odisha will suffer economic losses.
  • This is because a major revenue-generating part of ECoR, headquartered in Bhubaneswar, is being transferred to the South Coast Railway.

South Coast Railway (SCoR) Zone FAQs

Q1. How many zones are there in Southern Railway?

Ans. Southern Railway is headquartered in Chennai and is divided into six divisions namely Chennai, Tiruchirappalli, Madurai, Palakkad, Salem and Thiruvananthapuram.

Q2. How many divisions are there in South Coast Railway (SCoR) Zone?

Ans. The South Coast Railway (SCoR) Zone, headquartered in Visakhapatnam, will now consist of four divisions: Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Guntur, and Guntakal..

Q3. What is the full form of SCoR in railway?

Ans. SCoR stands for South Coast Railway, which is a railway zone in India. It was the 18th railway zone to be announced in the country. 

Q4. What is the new name of Waltair?

Ans. The Division would be renamed as Visakhapatnam Division as the name Waltair is a colonial legacy that needs to be changed.

Q5. What is the meaning of Waltair Division?

Ans. Waltair railway division refers to the name of a former railway division under the jurisdiction of East Coast Railway zone of the Indian Railways.

Source: IE | ET