In case of accident, US does not want firms to pay it all

nuclear reactor suppliers will not be liable if there is an accident in an atomic power plant in India. The onus of the accident would be on the operator, only partly. The rest would be on the Indian government. This, if India clears the Civil Nuclear Liability Bill. The bill, though, has not been put up for public discussions in India and its clauses are not known.

Sources said the bill, if passed, would allow private companies from abroad to set up and operate power plants in India, currently proposed in Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat. American companies like GE and Toshiba Westinghouse are keen. It is in their interest that the US wants India to cap liability of the operator company.