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ii) Ensure compliance by DAE and non-DAE installations of safety codes and standards during construction commissioning stages
iii) Advise AEC/DAE on technical matters that may specifically be referred to it in connection with the siting, design, construction, commissioning, operation, and decommissioning of the plants under DAE.
iv) Review from the safety angle requests for authorizing/commissioning/operation of DAE Projects/plants.

34. Various codes and safety standards issued by the AERB, referred to above, mainly deal with siting, design, construction, operation, quality assurance, decommissioning etc. Safety codes and safety standards are formulated on the basis of nationally and internationally accepted safety criteria for design, construction and operation of specific equipment, systems, structures and components of nuclear and radiation facilities. Further, India has also entered into various bilateral treaties and is also a party to various international conventions on nuclear safety, physical protection of nuclear material, nuclear accident, radiological emergency and so on. India, as already stated, is also governed by the safety and security standards laid down by IAEA. A brief reference to those conventions, treaties and IAEA may be apposite.

Radioactive material

67. We are all exposed to the naturally occurring radiation in our daily lives. Cosmic radiation from outside the solar system is also common phenomenon. Earth’s crust is radioactive, so also above the earth’s surface where we fly by aeroplane, we also get doses of radiation. Medical diagnostic treatment such as X-Ray, CT-Scan, angiography, angioplasty also radiates radioactive dose. However, the development of nuclear reactors which, for the first time, made possible the production of radioisotopes of many different elements, expanded the field of radioactive materials. Production and use of it, therefore, is bound to create a little bit of marginal radiation which seldom can be prevented. The Atomic Energy (Radiation Protection) Rules, (Radio Protection Rules now) were initially framed and revised in 2004. According to the Rules no person could handle radioactive material or operate any radiation generating equipment except in accordance with the terms and conditions of a licence. The Atomic Energy (Control of Irradiation of Food) Rules, 1990 (revised in 1996) seeks to regulate the irradiation of foods in the country. Provisions of the Act, statutory rules and regulations, various codes, safety standards etc. issued by the AERB buttressed by the technical assistance provided by IAEA, NEA, The World Association of Nuclear Operations (WANO) etc. are being followed in India in respect of 20 operating power reactors which are existing in this country. Safeguarding the nuclear plants, radioactive materials and ensuring its physical security have therefore become a central part of nuclear law. Risks arising from NPP, do affect not merely the country which choose to use that technology but can have catastrophic consequences to the neighboring countries as well. Non-proliferation, disarmament and peaceful use are stated to be the three pillars of all the international conventions. Nuclear technologies and techniques, it is well accepted, can offer vital benefits for improving human-well being, like health care, radio-therapy, food security, agricultural advantages to the present and generation.

To remove such misgivings, the authorities of nuclear fuel cycle facilities in general, and that of nuclear power stations in particular, are actively involved in carrying out regular public awareness programmes for people living in the vicinity of these facilities.

viii) The AERB, the national regulatory authority, has been regulating the nuclear and radiation facilities in the country very effectively and has, over the years, issued a large number of codes, standards and guides.