KATHMANDU, APRIL 3
The federal government has issued the Radioactive Materials (Utilisation and Regulation) Rules, 2022, that requires an institution desirous to carry out activities related to radioactive materials to submit an application along with necessary documents to the regulatory body for obtaining licence.
As per the rules published by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology in the Nepal Gazette last week, no one shall be allowed to carry out activities related to radioactive materials without obtaining licence. Similarly, the licence obtained by an institution is non-transferable.
If the licensee violates the terms and conditions set forth in the licence and the prevailing laws, the regulatory body shall revoke such a licence by giving him/her an opportunity of defence. The government has envisioned to contribute to achieving the goal of national prosperity through the development of state-of-the-art technology from radioactive materials.
The rules stipulate the provision of a regulatory body to carry out regulation of radioactive materials. However, the Government of Nepal may designate any ministry or agency to function as regulatory body until the formation of such a mechanism.
The functions, duties and power of the regulatory body include formulating policies, plans and programmes related to radioactive materials; developing standard for protection of citizens, flora and fauna, property and environment from potential impacts of the ionised radiation; determining duties and responsibilities of persons or institutions licensed to use radioactive material, and fixing the qualification of technicians working in licensed institution.
Similarly, there will be a steering committee to provide suggestions to the Government of Nepal regarding the operation of activities related to radioactive materials and to investigate any adverse effect of such materials on public health. The rules also state that the institution wishing to obtain licence shall have a paidup capital anywhere between Rs 1 million to Rs 100 million depending on the services to be provided by it through utilisation of radioactive materials.
As per the law, radioactive materials have to be used only for peaceful purposes.
If an institution misuses radioactive power, the person deemed guilty shall be imprisoned for a term ranging from five to 10 years, along with a fine of up to Rs 1.2 million. In case of death or injury of any person due to negligence and misuse of radioactive materials, the perpetrator shall be liable to action in accordance with the prevailing law. The institution shall also be ordered to pay the prescribed amount to the victims or their kin as compensation.
A version of this article appears in the print on April 4, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.
