Project Proposal on Indian participation in International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) approved
The Union Cabinet today gave its approval for the following:
i) To the project titled Indian Participation in International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor, at a base cost of Rs.2500 crore. The FE component calculated at base cost will be Rs.1129 crore.
ii) To constitute an Empowered Board by the Governing Council of Institute for Plasma Research with sufficient powers required for effective implementation of the project within the framework of the agreement signed among the parties to the ITER and ITER International Organisation and also within the sanctioned amount for the project of Rs.2500 crore. This shall, inter alia, include:
a) Full financial powers, particularly powers in respect of single limited and restricted tendering process and administrative powers to the total extent of the budgetary sanction and resource allocation for the project.
b) Full autonomy in laying down the rules, procedures and guidelines for financial, administrative and any other matters related to the execution of the project.
c) Full autonomy in deciding the delegation of powers in financial and administrative matters in conformity with the various stipulations and guidelines of the Government and Central Vigilance Commission.
d) Power to create posts and lay down suitable recruitment norms depending upon size and nature of activities subject to over all sanctioned manpower requirement.
To ensure this the Empowered Board, in turn, shall frame administratively and financially sound policies and put into place procedurally transparent rules, regulations and practices.
India’s joining ITER is recognition of India’s scientific and technical capability in fusion energy.
Considering India’s large energy needs in future, our gaining technological capability in fusion energy will be of considerable long term benefit.
India’s participation in ITER will allow India to leapfrog in terms of our national technological capability in fusion energy.
****
YSR/LV
(Release ID :28997)