Experts in regulatory organisation are drawn either from operating plants or from other DAE units. How can they work unbiased?
The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) was constituted in 1983 and was vested with the powers of the competent authority for ensuring public health and safety, safety of environment and occupational workers as envisaged under the Atomic Energy Act of 1962. AERB reports to the Atomic Energy Commission and is independent of the DAE. With the creation of AERB, an important aspect of public participation in the safety and regulatory activities has also been built into the system. AERB engages experts from non-DAE institutions e.g. academic institutes, industry etc. in the performance of its tasks. This helps in projecting proper perspective to the public regarding its activities and the safety status of the nuclear industry in the country. AERB has been exercising its authority in restraining the operations or ordering shutdown of the units as necessary.
