Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Dec 18: The All India Power Engineers Federation (AIPEF) on Thursday announced a nationwide protest on December 23 against the SHANTI Bill, which seeks to allow private participation in India’s civil nuclear energy sector.
The demonstrations will be organised jointly with central trade unions and the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), with protests planned across districts, cities and towns. AIPEF chairman Shailendra Dubey said participation is expected to run into crores, making it one of the largest coordinated actions by engineers, workers and farmers in recent times.
“This will be a coordinated, countrywide action involving power engineers, workers and farmers who are deeply concerned about the implications of this legislation,” Dubey said.
The announcement comes a day after the Lok Sabha passed the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill amid a walkout by opposition parties. The government has defended the legislation as essential to meet India’s long-term energy targets, including achieving 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047.
Currently, private companies and state governments are barred from nuclear power projects under the Atomic Energy Act, while the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act provides a no-fault liability framework to ensure swift compensation in case of accidents.
AIPEF, however, has strongly opposed the bill, alleging that it weakens long-standing safeguards and opens one of the most sensitive sectors to private and foreign players. Dubey claimed the proposed framework promotes a profit-driven licensing model and dilutes accountability, particularly by removing the operator’s statutory right of recourse against reactor suppliers.
He warned that such changes could shift the financial and social costs of any nuclear accident away from corporations and onto the State and citizens.
Along with the Joint Platform of Central Trade Unions and the SKM, AIPEF has demanded the immediate withdrawal of the SHANTI Bill. The groups are also seeking restoration of stringent liability provisions, creation of an independent nuclear regulatory authority, stronger environmental and labour protections, and clear parliamentary oversight of foreign participation in nuclear activities.
AIPEF said the December 23 protests are aimed at pressuring the government to reconsider the legislation and initiate wider consultations before making changes to India’s nuclear energy laws.