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Can’t give up N-energy despite Japan disaster: PM

On Board PM's Special Plane: Despite the nuclear crisis in Japan, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday night batted for nuclear power as an essential option of energy and said the present "nervousness" in the world would end when the issue is discussed in a "cool-headed" manner.

"We are too close to Japanese disaster," he told accompanying journalists while returning from his two-nation tour of China and Kazakhstan when asked why he continued to pursue nuclear cooperation with various countries despite the experience in Fukushima in Japan where the crisis was triggered by radiation leak after tsunami hit nuclear plants.

Singh noted that in the aftermath of the disaster, "there is certain amount of nervousness over extensive use of nuclear power".

He, however, said that he was "convinced that all said and done, when cool-headed discussions take place on the future of energy, what are the problems with coal (reserves), what are the problems of other hydrocarbons in terms of impact on climate change, there would be reconsideration of the role of nuclear energy as one of the essential options which all countries must keep to deal with problems like climate change and energy security."

The Prime Minister's comments came in the backdrop of India signing a civil nuclear agreement with Kazakhstan earlier in the day during his visit there. The broad-based agreement provides for supply of uranium, construction of reactors, research and development and joint mining of uranium.

Asked about Kazakhstan's keenness that India should build small nuclear reactors there, Singh said, "it takes two to strike a deal...There have been some discussions but no concrete decision has been taken".

At the same time, he said India has capabilities to produce small reactors using natural uranium. PTI

17.04.2011. 17:28

India bans imports of all Japanese food

India has banned all food imports from Japan, citing fears over possible radioactive contamination from the country's nuclear disaster. The ban will remain for three months or until the radiation hazard subsides to acceptable limits, a government statement said.

China, Taiwan, Singapore and the US have banned shipments of produce from certain parts of Japan. But India is the first country to impose a blanket ban on Japanese food. "Since the radiation is spreading/expanding horizontally in other parts of Japan, it may result in further radioactive contamination in the supply chain of food exports from Japan," the statement read.

It said the decision was taken after "detailed discussions" involving government nuclear, toxicology and customs officials. The ban takes immediate effect. Authorities said weekly reviews would be carried out by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

More than three weeks after a devastating earthquake and tsunami hit Japan, the crisis at the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant north-east of Tokyo continues. The plant has sent radioactive material into the air, contaminating farm produce and drinking water.

Highly radioactive water has also seeped into the Pacific Ocean from the plant, but officials say there is no imminent health threat.

06.04.2011. 23:47

Nuke fallout: Nearly 5000 Indians leave Japan

New Delhi: Nearly 5,000 Indians, out of a 25,000-strong community based in Japan, have already left that country in the aftermath of tsunami caused by a massive earthquake last week. "It is difficult to give the exact number of Indians who have left so far as they are leaving from various airports apart from Tokyo. But the estimates are that the number at present is between 4,000 to 5,000," official sources said. They said the government was closely monitoring the situation in Japan, which is reeling under the devastation caused by the tsunami and earthquake on March 11. "It is a fast evolving situation. No one can say what will happen in next 24 or 48 hours," they said. The approximately 25,000 Indians in Japan were concentrated in the Kanto and Kansai regions. Meanwhile, after the first consignment of relief material, comprising woolen blankets, sent to the devastation- hit country, India has offered to despatch a team of National Disaster Management Authority and a response from Japan is awaited. Japan was hit by a massive earthquake causing giant tsunami waves and is currently struggling to avert a meltdown at a nuclear installation. zeenews (PTI)

18.03.2011. 01:01