C Shivakumar
Chennai:
Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI) which is developing
500 mega watt Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) in Kalpakkam, does
not have chairman and managing director.
After Prabhat Kumar, chairman and managing director of Bhavini,
retired on October 31, 2014, the project is for the first time being
headed by a non-scientist temporarily. Acting chairman and managing
director Rajani Sankaran, who belongs to Indian Audit and Accounts
Service, is currently heading Bhavini.
This also comes in the wake of integrated commissioning of 500 mega
watt Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) in Kalpakkam, which uses
liquid sodium to cool the reactor.
Department of Atomic Energy sources told Express that letters were
sent to Appointments Committee of Cabinet on the successor of Prabhat
Kumar. But till now the cabinet has yet to decide on it.
Not only this, even two other key posts in Bhavini are now lying
vacant. The posts include director of projects as well as director of
operations.
“It is surprising that such a key project, an important milestone for
India’s three-stage nuclear power programme, is functioning without
top posts being filled up,” DAE sources said.
Meanwhile, sources also revealed that PFBR is likely to attain
criticality in next six months. “Although Prabhat Kumar has
relinquished his post, he is temporarily advising on key issues and
the project is unlikely to be hit,” official sources said.
However, a DAE source said that it is a matter of concern that such a
delay is happening to fill up the posts in the flagship nuclear
project , which is months away from attaining criticality.
This reactor uses closed fuel cycle option under which the spent fuel
discharged from the reactor is reprocessed and converted into
indigenously developed unique plutonium-rich mixed carbide fuel.
Scientists state that fast breeder reactors would make effective
utilization of depleted uranium available in the country, and use
plutonium as a fuel with significant reduction in radioactive waste.
Chennai:
Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI) which is developing
500 mega watt Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) in Kalpakkam, does
not have chairman and managing director.
After Prabhat Kumar, chairman and managing director of Bhavini,
retired on October 31, 2014, the project is for the first time being
headed by a non-scientist temporarily. Acting chairman and managing
director Rajani Sankaran, who belongs to Indian Audit and Accounts
Service, is currently heading Bhavini.
This also comes in the wake of integrated commissioning of 500 mega
watt Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) in Kalpakkam, which uses
liquid sodium to cool the reactor.
Department of Atomic Energy sources told Express that letters were
sent to Appointments Committee of Cabinet on the successor of Prabhat
Kumar. But till now the cabinet has yet to decide on it.
Not only this, even two other key posts in Bhavini are now lying
vacant. The posts include director of projects as well as director of
operations.
“It is surprising that such a key project, an important milestone for
India’s three-stage nuclear power programme, is functioning without
top posts being filled up,” DAE sources said.
Meanwhile, sources also revealed that PFBR is likely to attain
criticality in next six months. “Although Prabhat Kumar has
relinquished his post, he is temporarily advising on key issues and
the project is unlikely to be hit,” official sources said.
However, a DAE source said that it is a matter of concern that such a
delay is happening to fill up the posts in the flagship nuclear
project , which is months away from attaining criticality.
This reactor uses closed fuel cycle option under which the spent fuel
discharged from the reactor is reprocessed and converted into
indigenously developed unique plutonium-rich mixed carbide fuel.
Scientists state that fast breeder reactors would make effective
utilization of depleted uranium available in the country, and use
plutonium as a fuel with significant reduction in radioactive waste.
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