“We have raised our concerns over the liability issue. France is a party to the Vienna Convention on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage. We want similar binding conditions in the Jaitapur contract,” said a top EDF official.
The official added: “These steps will help us bring nuclear industry players from France to India. The delegation has asked to provide same level of protection to the EDF, which is available at the international level.”
“We have also given a fresh techno-commercial proposal to NPCIL. It is now up to the NPCIL to decide,” the official added. The proposal includes negotiating with India for six reactors against two, which was the case earlier. This would help bring down the cost. It also includes a proposal for localisation of technology to make the project cost effective.
The EDF has raised concern over various clauses dealing with the Right to Recourse under the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act 2010. Though the French side still has concerns over the impact of India’s liability law, they acknowledged that India has taken several steps to assuage those through initiatives like formation of Nuclear Insurance Pool.