HYDERABAD: Atomic Energy Regulation Board’s former chairman A.G. Gopalakrishnan on Sunday opposed the Indo-US nuclear deal, as it was not in the country’s interest.
The US was concerned about the threat posed to it by India’s emergence on the science and technology front and it was trying to scuttle the progress through the 123-agreement, he said here.
He was participating in a convention opposing the nuclear deal organised by the Forum for Self-Reliance in Defence and Atomic Energy.
Apolitical
Maintaining that his comments were apolitical, he asserted that generation of a mega watt of power through conventional sources was much cheaper, as compared to n-power. If the deal becomes operational, the domestic industry, which was getting its share from n- power generation, would be hard hit, as multinational corporations would be allowed to take a major share in the business.
Dr. Gopalakrishnan recalled that former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi took major decisions on nuclear sector in consultation with scientists. He lamented that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh did not consider their views on the deal.
The meeting was attended by representatives of several trade unions and defence establishments. Convener of the forum G.T. Gopala Rao and others lamented that the Government was allowing private sector into core defence areas which would adversely affect development of indigenous missile and research on nuclear submarine.
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