Controversy over Clean Chit Given to Rajasthan Atomic Power Plant by IAEA

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) gave clean chit to Rajasthan Atomic Power Plant (RAPP) in Rawatbhata. IAEA reviewed the RAPP and gave conclusion of the review on 14 November 2012 after visiting unit 3 and unit 4, leaving the controversial unit 6 of RAPP, Rawatbhata.

Over 40 people working at this controversial unit 6 of RAPP were exposed to hazardous tritium on 23 June 2012. 4 maintenance workers exposed themselves to the risks of tritium radiations when they were repairing the faulty pipe in pressurised heavy water reactor (PHWR) of unit 4 on 19 July 2012. It was the same unit that IAEA members paid visit to during their in-depth safety review which took place from 29 October 2012 to 14 November 2012.  

The Operational Safety Review Team, assembled by IAEA which was alleged by antinuclear activists, ignored the fact that heavy tritium leak took place in unit 6 of RAPP plant in 2012. An Operational Safety Review Team (OSART) was led by Division of Nuclear Installation Safety of IAEA. This team included experts from various countries such as Belgium, Finland, Canada, Slovakia, Sweden, Germany, Romania and Slovenia.

Antinuclear activists expressed their doubts about safety review of IAEA. These activists also included general secretary of People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL). The issues of risks of nuclear safety as well as absence of autonomous regulation of atomic power production in India were raised.

The activists also said that this jeopardized workers to risks of cancer, leukaemia as well as certain other health issues.