Union minister Jitendra Singh (File photo)
NEW DELHI: Union minister Jitendra Singh on Sunday said the Shanti Bill, which proposes opening the nuclear energy sector to private players, will go down in history as one of the Modi govt’s “biggest science reforms”. Singh said the legislation links science, economy, industry, and business to shape India’s future socio-economic order, breaks a six-decade stalemate in the nuclear sector, and opens a new era of clean energy growth.Talking to reporters, the minister said the third term of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is characterised by “bold, structural reforms”, with a strong emphasis on science, innovation, and entrepreneurship. “The Shanti (Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India) Bill, 2025, represents a defining departure from convention by positioning science-driven reform at the centre of national transformation,” the minister said. The Bill was passed by both Houses of Parliament earlier this month and subsequently received the President’s assent.Singh claimed that India historically did not frame scientific advancement within the reform narrative, despite its decisive impact on future growth, industry, and global competitiveness. He added that while earlier reform phases were associated with landmark political and strategic decisions, Modi 3.0 will be remembered for breaking long-standing barriers in sectors that determine India’s technological and economic future.The minister said the legislation unlocks India’s potential for “peaceful, clean, and sustainable energy” while maintaining “uncompromising standards” of safety, sovereignty, and public interest. As India transitions away from fossil fuels and coal, Singh emphasised that nuclear energy is indispensable for providing reliable, round-the-clock power, unlike intermittent renewable sources, and will play a critical qualitative role in sustaining advanced technologies, digital infrastructure, and strategic sectors.
