N-liability bill: Govt does not rule out raising compensation cap

The government indicated on Wednesday that it would hold discussions with the Bharatiya Janata Party and Left parties, which had opposed the Nuclear Liability Bill, and did not rule out the possibility of raising the compensation cap of Rs 500 crore as envisaged.

Speaking to jounralists, Union Law Minister M Veerappa Moily acknowledged the opposition to the Bill by Left parties, noting that they were also against the nuclear deal.

"The United Progressive Alliance and the Congress still believe that we should have some discussions over this matter (the proposed legislation), take everybody on board and get it passed," he said.

The BJP and Left parties had forced the government to decide against introduction of the bill in Lok Sabha on March 15.

The opposition parties are objecting to the compensation cap of Rs 500 crore on the operator as envisaged in the bill.

Moily said, "We have taken some view on this matter (the compensation cap). Suppose...reasonably...after consulting everybody...it has to be increased, that is another matter.

But as on today, I do not say it is (compensation cap of Rs 500 crore) unreasonable."

Asked about Centre's take on Tamil Nadu government coming out with an advisory report with regard to Nalini (in the context of her plea seeking premature release from prison in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case) and preparing to give it to the Union Government, Moily said: "Let it come first".

He said the Centre would examine the advisory report when it comes to it.

Moily said he cannot respond to "hypothetical question" on a "very crucial issue like that".