The Department of
Atomic Energy (DAE) is to give a fillip to use of radiation technology
in the private processed foods and health-care sectors. The Department
has decided not to set up any new plants of its own for utilising
radiation technology in sterlisation of medical products and processing
of food products. Instead, private entrepreneurs will be encouraged
to set up such plants. A number of MoUs have been signed with
the private sector in this regard.
Three such plants
in the private sector are under various stages of construction
and would be commissioned within the next two years. The cost
of a typical industrial scale radiation processing plant is estimated
to be around seven crore rupees. The DAE owns three plants, one
for sterlisation of medical products / equipment, another for
higenisation of spices and other items and the third one for sprout
inhibition of onions.
Though, the government
is open to specific offers for private sector participation, Indian
or foreign in nuclear power generation, it has so far not received
any concrete proposals for the same. Such offers when received
will be considered under the prevalent rules and regulations,
the DAE says.
