Directives on use of nuclear material issued
Kathmandu, November 3
In a bid to check unauthorised use of nuclear material, the government has issued Directives on Regulation of Nuclear Material, 2015.
The directives stipulate a regulatory provision on import, export, transportation and use of nuclear material. For the purpose of this law, nuclear material means nuclear or atomic explosives, machinery or equipment that emits radiation or any other radioactive materials and technology relating to thereof.
Similarly, radioactive waste means waste generated from nuclear material which is of no use.
The directives has prohibited use of nuclear material for destructive or military purposes.
The Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment will coordinate with the concerned international agencies to check the import, export, transportation, storage and use of prohibited nuclear material.
In order to regulate the use of nuclear material and provide necessary feedback and suggestions to the MoSTE, the directives envisage a nine-member regulatory committee headed by MoSTE secretary.
The committee includes representatives from the Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Agricultural Development, Ministry of Commerce and Supplies, Ministry of Health and Population, Nepal Academy of Science and Technology, Nepal Health Research Council, and experts as members.
The MoSTE has been mandated to develop national policies, plans and programs related to import, export, storage, transportation and use of nuclear materials. Any person or organisation interested in carrying out activities related to import, export, storage, transportation and use of nuclear material is required to apply with with necessary details to the MoSTE for approval.
The responsibility of managing radioactive will be with the person or organisation obtaining approval.
However, radioactive waste generated in foreign countries are not allowed to be brought to Nepal for any purpose.
The concerned person or organisation will have to compensate for any damage or loss caused to workers, employees, customers or general public.
