March 14, 2011 6:32 PM

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Safety of nuclear plants in the country is Govt.’s top priority: PM

The Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh today assured the Lok Sabha that the safety of nuclear plants in the country is the Government's top priority. He added that an immediate technical review of India's atomic plants has been ordered to check if they can withstand the impact of large natural disasters such as Tsunamis and earthquakes. Dr. Singh asserted New Delhi is in constant touch with the International Atomic Energy Agency , Japanese Atomic Industrial Forum and world Association of Nuclear operators and extended India's help in relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction process. He said that Navy is on stand-by to send its ships to Japan as a part of such an exercise. Dr Manmohan Singh announced an immediate dispatch of 25000 blankets for the Tsunami hit people of Japan. Making a suo moto statement in the Lok Sabha today, Dr Singh said all Indians in Japan are safe and only 70 of them are living in shelters and New Delhi is constantly monitoring the situation.Dealing at length on the safety of nuclear power reactors, he said that the Government attaches the highest importance to nuclear safety. He said a safety audit has been completed of the 20 reactors operating in India and recalled the country's past success in meeting the safety standards.To supplement his argument he quoted operation of Kakrapar Atomic Power Station after earthquake in Bhuj in 2002 and Madras Atomic Power Station after Tsunami in 2004. He announced that work is underway in the department of Atomic Energy towards further strengthening Nuclear Safety Regulatory Authority.Meanwhile BJP today urged the Government to make safety of nuclear plants as its priority. Party Spokesman Shahnawaz Hussein also called for taking steps to meet any exigency in case a nuclear power plant develops a snag or there is threat of radiation.

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