The Rajya Sabha has taken up for discussion a Bill which provides for ending the apartheid against India in the field of atomic power. Introducing the Bill, the Minister of State for Science and Technology Prithvi Raj Chavan asserted that such legislation is needed to meet India's growing energy demands. This will help give boost civil nuclear programme to maintain the tempo of growth. The Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha last week after reaching a consensus with the main opposition BJP on the liability issue. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology had recommended 18 amendments which were incorporated in the Bill after Cabinet nod. The Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Bill-2010, provides for 1500 crore rupees of liability cap on suppliers in case of a nuclear accident. Resuming the debate on the Bill, the leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Arun Jaitley questioned the government for pushing the Bill fast. He said that a greater national debate on the issue was needed to discuss the pros and cons of the legislation. He called for fixing the liability of nuclear material during transportation. Ahead of tabling the Bill, the Science and Technology Minister Prithviraj Chavan expressed confidence that the legislation will be passed in the Rajya Sabha as the Bill has the support of the Opposition BJP. Mr Chavan told reporters that the adoption of this Bill will pave the way for nuclear commerce. It is estimated worth 150 billion dollars will be spent over the next twenty years.AIR correspondent reports that India has already signed civil nuclear pacts with several countries including France, United States and Russia. New Delhi is now holding discussions with Japan to have an agreement on civil nuclear cooperation with Tokyo.