Kalpakkam: Launching the commercial phase of the country's fast breeder programme and the 500mw prototype fast breeder reactor (PFBR) at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) at Kalpakkam, prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh declared that India was a responsible nuclear power, at a time when countries in the region were involved in the clandestine trade of nuclear technologies.

Announcing that India is fully conscious of the immense responsibilities that come with the possession of advanced technologies, both civilian and strategic, he said, "While we are determined to utilise our indigenous resources and capabilities to fulfill our national interests, we are doing so in a manner that is not contrary to the larger goals of nuclear non-proliferation."

According to him, the limitations of the present non-proliferation regime should not be further accentuated by artificial restrictions on genuine peaceful nuclear applications.

"Technology denial and closing avenues for international cooperation in such an important field is tantamount to the denial of developmental benefits to millions of people, whose lives can be transformed by the utilisation of nuclear energy and relevant technology," he added.

He also called upon other advanced nuclear powers to come together for a constructive dialogue to evolve more effective measures that would stem the tide of proliferation without unduly constraining the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

"Constraining those who are responsible amounts, in effect, to rewarding those who are irresponsible." According to him the international community should face the implications of this choice.

He also presided over the function to commemorate the golden jubilee of the department of atomic energy (DAE). Recalling 50 years of DAE and the contributions of India's nuclear programme founders, Dr Singh said, the nation owes a debt of gratitude to Dr Homi Bhabha for laying down the foundations of self-reliant development and nurturing a whole generation of outstanding scientists and engineers.

The prime minister also emphasised the need to break the constraints, which cause power shortages and retards development. Emphasising the need for an optimal mix of energy resources he added that nuclear power today accounts for only two per cent of our installed capacity.

"We have now embarked on a major programme to generate 20,000mw of nuclear power by the year 2020. By 2008, we hope to add 4,000mw including the two 1,000mw nuclear reactors coming up at Kudankulam in collaboration with the Russian Federation."

Expressing pride over India having developed comprehensive capabilities in the complete fuel cycle operation, he said, "India is also among the select group of countries which have the ability to recover plutonium from irradiated nuclear fuel and use it to produce power in thermal as well as in fast reactors."

According to him, India is uniquely placed to utilise technologies required for launching the third stage of nuclear power programme based on the utilisation of thorium. "The technology roadmap prepared by the DAE for this purpose will receive the government's full support," he assured.

Addressing the gathering Dr Anil Kakodkar, chairman, Atomic Energy Commission noted, "The technology developed by IGCAR enters the commercial phase on vijayadasami day."

The Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Limited, a joint venture company between IGCAR (the technology provider) and the Nuclear Power Corporation Limited, will implement the PFBR project. According to S K Jain, chairman and managing director, Nuclear Power Corporation, "Orders for equipment worth Rs500 crore have been finalised."

Dr. Baldev Raj, director, IGCAR, complimented the staff for their efforts and thanked the visiting dignitaries for their visit.