No doubt there were many failures at govt/govt agency level. The arrogance and unnecessary secrecy of bureaucracy (atomic or otherwise) is well known. Corrective measures such as agencies with "teeth", strong desire to protect citizens, etc., are of utmost importance. But Bidwai? No point even talking about that vermin.
AERB should be held responsible for the shipment of radio active shipments to several countries including 67 shpments to US. DR Parthasaradhy is silent on this failure. He is silent about the liability of any mishap if happened which had to be born by the people of India. What is the reaction for the proposal to replace AERB with a more powerful body which is answerable to the Parliament. As a former Secretary of AERB we welcome your suggestions with due respect and concern. Dr Parthasarathy, I feel, under estimate the seriousness of the radiation hazards waiting in the proposed nuclear power plants under the NUCLEAR DEAL. Please come forward with your opinion about the radiation issues as far as the ‘legal infrastructure’ of India to go for a large scale expansion of nuclear power plants in several states. Your opinion in public is appreciated.
Re: AERB is responible
by Parthasarathy KS on Aug 02, 2010 07:43 AM
I have not been silent on the shipment of contaminated steel products.You may do a google search with my name, Hindu and co60 contamination. You will get two of my articles published on 13 Nov 2008 and 26 Feb 2009.
In the rediff article under discussion, I asked for a more proactive reaction on the issue from AERB. I asked AERB to seek legal opinion on banning import of steel if portal monitors are not operational at the ports.I referred to the fact that AERB's well thought out multilayer monitoring system has not reached all. If scrap dealers listened to AERB's advice and used radiation monitoring equipment the incident would not have occurred.
Regarding setting up stronger AERB"answerable" to Parliament":The idea is based on the wrong assumption that AERB is not answerable to parliament. In over 27 years of its existence, AERB has acquired enough expertise in reviewing safety aspects of nuclear power reactors. Since India was in the nuclear field from the 50s, we have a good pool of specialists.AERB officers interact closely with other national and international agencies such as the IAEA.Our legal infrastructure is sound. I do not want to underestimate the seriousness of radiation hazards.Review of Russian reactors was a challenge.
Consequent to the Civil Nuclear agreements, our activities will expand;AERB will handle them well. K.S.Parthasarathy
Re: Re: AERB is responible
by Govind Lal on Aug 02, 2010 09:03 AM
It is realized that AERB is an advisory body, from your response. I do not under estimate the professionals working in AERB. I feel their responsibility ends just by giving an advice. Is it not advisable to make it obligatory for the owners to follow some laid down Enactments. The enactments will provide more responsibility along with authority to AERB to handle the delinquent. Banning anything out right is not all that practicable within our legal system. We can just regulate it. AERB can be authorised to handle this responsibility. Of course it is a tough job!! Let there be an ENACTMENT to stop import of steel in any port where there is no portal monitors. It seems what is lacking is TRANSPARENCY. Most of the transactions and documents on the nuclear deal are under the shroud of CONFIDENTIAL. It is to be changed. When the projects are handled by private enterprises what is the fun in keeping secrecy in these matters. Transactions on defense matters can be confidential. But it should not be used as a curtain for other transactions.
Re: Re: Re: AERB is responible
by Govind Lal on Aug 02, 2010 09:32 AM
I have gone through your article in the Hindu dated 26.2.2009. You did explained the problems with clarity. But the solution was not clearly indicated. I expected a solution with clarity such as the amendments to be made in various existing enactments, delegation of power to regulate the enactments etc. Look at the several nuclear projects under consideration. google and read "Dangerous Fakes How counterfeit, defective computer components from China are getting into U.S. warplanes and ships". The American military faces a growing threat of potentially fatal equipment failure—and even foreign espionage—because of counterfeit computer components used in warplanes, ships, and communication networks. If our Nuclear plants are built under BOT basis they can use these obsolete chips in the MODULES which are sealed and so we can not see and verify. How can the people working in the erection certify the quality of the materials used to arrange payments? If anything goes wrong in future the axe will fall on them. Poor men!! What is your suggestion to deal with such underhand approaches.
Re: Re: Re: Re: AERB is responible
by Parthasarathy KS on Aug 02, 2010 07:03 PM
AERB is empowered to enforce certain provisions under the Sections 16,17 and 23 of the Atomic Energy Act 1962.It is not an Advisory Committee.I understand that the Central Government has plans to strengthen it further.AERB currently operates on the delegated authority There are sufficient enactments available for AERB. Kindly make use of www.aerb.gov.in and read the Atomic Energy Act 1962 and various rules promulgated under it. The latest Rule Atomic Energy (Radiation Protection) Rules 2004 is in line with the International Basic Safety Standards for Protection against Ionizing Radiation and for the Safety of Radiation Sources. Chairman, AERB is the competent authority to enforce the safety related rules under the Atomic Energy Act.
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: AERB is responible
by Govind Lal on Aug 02, 2010 08:44 PM
Your response is very encouraging. You mentioned that the Chairman of AERB is responsible for enforcing the safety related matters under Atomic Energy act 1962. Will the disposal of scrap material with radiation hazard fall under the Atomic Energy act? If YES who must be held responsible for the radiation accident in Mayapuri? This accident occurred due to serious omission on the part of OWNER of the establishment. Did AERB recommend to charge sheet the delinquent? Read ‘If scrap dealers listened to AERB's advice and used radiation monitoring equipment the incident would not have occurred’. This shows that AERB did not use the statute to enforce the rules. They stopped the process with an ADVICE. After decommissioning a nuclear plants all plant & machinery are to be safely kept for long periods to avoid radiation hazards. Several nuclear plants world over are due for decommissioning. There is a possibility that dismantled materials from such plants may find its way to India in sealed modules which are intended for the new plants. How can AERB identify the modules which carries the dismantled parts from the decommissioned plant?
The severe damage caused to the members of the public(including radiation induced death of exposed persons) because of the unfortunate Radioactive leak in Delhi's metal scrap market involving an old and unused Gamma Cell Cobalt-60 source and the statement issued by an Ex Secretary of AERB defending the functioning of AERB not only exhibits the current state of affairs in AERB but also strengthens the comments made by Mr.Praful Bidwai in this regard to some extent.
This kind of war of words is not going to produce any positive solution to the problem at any time.
Real solution to the problem lies in plugging the loop holes and improving the present functioning particularly with respect to a more effective radiation surveillance procedure, regulatory control (particularly with respect to all long lived radioactive materials) and compulsory monitoring of all metal scraps entering into the country through various ports. Such a procedure will certainly help AERB to prevent future occurrence of such serious radiation accidents involving old and unused (but still active)radioactive material entering public domain as metal scrap thereby resulting in serious radiation exposures to the members of the public.
Re: Delhi's Radioactive Leak : The other side
by vijaisarathi selvaraj on Jul 30, 2010 04:54 PM
Cont'd --- street corner electric repair technician. Clearly at the beginning of the report the author says how it was the mistake of the Delhi University in selling off a radioactive material without proper checking or method, and no way is AERB responsible for that mistake and the mishap that followed it. Praful being a careless person was referring to the AERB people’s lack of response when this report clearly shows how AERB properly responded and that there was no lack of response in containg the situation. Mr. Subramaniam, plz do not post something without properly understanding because as told that Pen is mightier than a sword, ur comments can misguide other readers as already greatly done by Praful’s article.
Re: Delhi's Radioactive Leak : The other side
by Parthasarathy on Jul 31, 2010 01:34 PM
I am very grateful to VGR Subramanian for effortlessly revealing his preconceived notions. My article was to state the facts.I paid compliments to the officers of DAE and AERB for the commendable work done under trying conditions.I revealed that the inputs collected by an AERB officer from a victim gave vital clues to the origin of the source.
I attempted to correct Bidwai's and other well wishers' wrong notions.I do not want to list them here.
Did I defend AERB?. The following ideas from my article may be useful to judge: Mayapuri incident woke up all stakeholders including regulators. (AERB was sleeping!!)..a robust regulatory system cannot rely on good intentions alone for its independent and effective functioning....AERB's message on multilayer checking for orphan sources did not reach everyone(the efforts need strengthening!)AERB must seek legal opinion on banning import of scrap, if portal monitors are not operational by a date assigned by it!! I left AERB over six and half years. Recently, I got a chance to review some of its activities. AERB now is better equipped than earlier.Over half its 165 officers have excellent qualifications.Its activities have broadened. However, there is scope for improvement.
I do not mind waging "a war of words" to sift facts from fiction! In what way my endeavours exhibit "the current state of affairs in AERB"?Do they strengthen the comments made by Bidwai?Let the readers decide!
Re: Delhi's Radioactive Leak : The other side
by Govind Lal on Aug 01, 2010 10:46 AM
The article of Dr K.S.Parthasarathy is just a counter to protect the delinquent. Of course some has to protect them, he being a former employee. Apart from that he should have reacted positively to improve the system ‘RADIATION MANAGEMENT’ to avoid recurrence of such mishap. He could contribute much in this aspect. He must be aware of missing regulations in the overall system. Mr Bidwai did provide some clue. This could have been elaborated by the author with his experience in AERB.
Re: Delhi's Radioactive Leak : The other side
by vijaisarathi selvaraj on Jul 30, 2010 04:52 PM
From your response or comment, It just clearly shows that you never understood the article nor its language. The author is trying to explain how efficiently and swiftly the AERB responded to the situation and quickly identified the source and diffused the radiation and thereby avoided further spreading. He is exactly defending all the wrong and careless reporting of Praful and trying to prove what exactly and correctly the AERB functioned. Just know that AERB as the name says is regulatory board involved in regulating and keeping check of nuclear installations, nuclear radiation any thing to do with Atomic or Nuclear things. It is more like ISI dept grading and keeping check on quality of products. He clearly mentioned in the article with the example of X-Ray machines, that the AERB can only certify if a product is good, it is upto the user to keep the product in proper condition by doing periodic check etc, You can’t expect the ISI after giving a OK for a quality check and go after every TV, Fridge etc and keep track or guarantee its working under non-conforming conditions. I think you just did not understand the language in this long and descriptive report. Mr. Parthasarathy goes to say how highly qualified were the people involved in controlling the situation were by clearly explaining their grades, experience and positions rather than the careless Praful Bidwai referring to them as mere ‘Technicians’ as if they are some kind of
Re: Delhi's Radioactive Leak : The other side
by vijaisarathi selvaraj on Jul 30, 2010 04:52 PM
From your response or comment, It just clearly shows that you never understood the article nor its language. The author is trying to explain how efficiently and swiftly the AERB responded to the situation and quickly identified the source and diffused the radiation and thereby avoided further spreading. He is exactly defending all the wrong and careless reporting of Praful and trying to prove what exactly and correctly the AERB functioned. Just know that AERB as the name says is regulatory board involved in regulating and keeping check of nuclear installations, nuclear radiation any thing to do with Atomic or Nuclear things. It is more like ISI dept grading and keeping check on quality of products. He clearly mentioned in the article with the example of X-Ray machines, that the AERB can only certify if a product is good, it is upto the user to keep the product in proper condition by doing periodic check etc, You can’t expect the ISI after giving a OK for a quality check and go after every TV, Fridge etc and keep track or guarantee its working under non-conforming conditions. I think you just did not understand the language in this long and descriptive report. Mr. Parthasarathy goes to say how highly qualified were the people involved in controlling the situation were by clearly explaining their grades, experience and positions rather than the careless Praful Bidwai referring to them as mere ‘Technicians’ as if they are some kind of
You are a great journalist, KSP. Also a great PRO. Being the ex Secretary of AERB , you know that AERB cant do anything wrong !!Pl continue your "excellent" work . Your credentials are excellent too !
bidwai is another fool trying to act intellectual in commenting on matters he hanst an iota of knowledge. there are many such figures in this country.... such chatter boxess serve well the platter boxes in the civil population... we should ignore them. their existence is inconsequential
As you know you departed our beloved country in 1947. One of your own -- Churchill -- had predicted that we would f&c^k up big time. That prophecy has come true.
Our clowns had tried to run out country for over 60 years now. The gundaas in our country are not called politicians. It is a total disgrace. Corruption is at its peak and peoples' life is not worth sh1t.
Please come back and rule it. We plead you to come back and rule us. Or atleast ask your big brother US to come here and kick some ass. these local gundas who show their muscle will know their true strength when they see the might of big ole USA.
