Security Requirements for Nuclear Power Plants

 Department of Atomic Energy22-August, 2012 15:45 IS

Security Requirements for Nuclear Power Plants India has been following principles of physical security of nuclear materials and associated facilities right from the inception of its nuclear programme. India is a party to all the major international instruments related to nuclear security. The Atomic Energy Regulatory Boards (AERB) has updated the document on “Nuclear Security Requirements for Nuclear Power Plants”.

India is a State Party to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM) and the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (ICSANT). The instrument of ratification on the CPPNM was deposited with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on 19 September 2007. India has already ratified the ICSANT.

The available technical expertise in Nuclear Forensics, employed for Nuclear Material Control and Accounting as well as for detection and characterization of radioactive materials is also used to identify the material and its origin. For material out of regulatory control (illicit material), indigenously developed radioactive and nuclear material detectors are in regular use and are deployed at airports, seaports and border posts.

Since 2002, India has piloted a resolution at the United Nations General Assembly on measures to prevent terrorists gaining access to Weapons of Mass Destruction. India fully supports the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540, its extension resolution 1977 and the United Nations Global Counter Terrorism Strategy. India participates in the Working Groups on nuclear detection, nuclear forensics and response and mitigation of the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism (GICNT). India also cooperates with Interpol’s Radiological and Nuclear Terrorism Prevention Unit and is a participant in the IAEA’s Illicit Trafficking Database (ITDB). India has actively contributed to IAEA’s Action Plans on Nuclear Security and announced a contribution of US $ 1 million to IAEA’s Nuclear Security Fund. Cooperation MoUs/Practical Arrangements have been concluded with the USA, Russia, France and IAEA in respect of Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership (GCNEP).

Personnel working in Department of Atomic Energy have been attending nuclear security-related programmes. India has also been organizing international and regional courses on the subject. GCNEP hosted an off-campus training course on Physical Protection in November, 2011.

The above information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions and in the Prime Minister’s Office, Shri V. Narayanasamy in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

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(Release ID :86490)