A parliamentary panel has proposed to triple the liability cap in case of a nuclear accident to 1,500 crore rupees and also sought to make suppliers of atomic equipment accountable if it is found defective. Talking to Reporters after the report was tabled in the two houses of Parliament Chief of the 31-member parliamentary standing committee on science and technology T Subbrami Reddy said the panel recommended that while the government may increase the compensation cap, it should not decrease it under any circumstances. It also recommended doubling the period for victims' claims to 20 years. The committee has also suggested expanding the definition of nuclear damage by including the immediate and long-term health impact on a person and loss of life and personal injury, as also including the word environment as defined by the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Mr Reddy said that the panel also recommended the inclusion of a clause specifying the suppliers' liability. Stressing that the bill was needed to boost power production in India, Mr Reddy said the Left members had given a note of dissent but that all other members had backed the panel's recommendations.