Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Dec 15: India’s nuclear power capacity increased 40% during the Modi regime.
This was disclosed here today by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.
The Minister told the House that in the last seven years, the installed nuclear power capacity grew from 4780 MW to 6780 MW, an increase of over 40%.
DrJitendra Singh further informed that India is pursuing an indigenous three-stage nuclear power programme to provide the country long term energy security in a sustainable manner. In addition, Light Water Reactors based on foreign cooperation are also being set up as additional facilities to provide the country clean electricity.
In a separate question on Nuclear Power augmentation, DrJitendra Singh informed that Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant KKNPP 3&4 (2X1000 MW) project implemented by Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) has achieved a physical progress of 54.96% as of November, 2021.
He stated that the units of KKNPP 3&4 project are expected to be completed by March, 2023 & November, 2023 respectively. Fast Reactor Fuel Cycle Facility (FRFCF) project is presently being executed by Nuclear Recycle Board, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Department of Atomic Energy. Financial progress of the project as on 30th November 2021 is 32% and the Project is expected to be completed by December 2027.
In response to yet another question, Dr Jitendra Singh also referred to several measures initiated by the government to promote young scientists to undertake research work.
Dr Jitendra Singh informed that funds allocated exclusively for young scientist research programmes during 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21 and the current year by the Ministry of Science and Technology are Rs. 1001.9 crore, Rs. 1113.1 crore, Rs.1056.6 crore and Rs. 724.7 crore, respectively. He said, the fellowships offer liberal financial support ranging from Rs. 31,000/- to Rs.1,35,000 per month to scientists who are not in regular service, depending upon their qualification and nature of the scheme.
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