The president of Indian Association of Nuclear Chemists and Allied Scientists of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), K. L. Ramkumar, on Monday said that the Department of Atomic Energy had taken steps to allay the fears of people over the safety of nuclear power projects across the country, particularly the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project in Tirunelveli district. Speaking to ‘The Hindu’ at Noorul Islam University at Kumaracoil near Thuckalay in Kanyakumari district, he said that there was no compromise on safety of nuclear plants. All nuclear facilities in India were required to obtain clearance from international bodies including the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) at all stages from construction to de-commissioning. The AERB had evolved a regulatory mechanism, which ensured multi-tier review by safety committees comprising experts in the relevant fields. These experts were from AERB, reputed academic institutions, government agencies, as well as BARC and Indira Gandhi Atomic Research Centre. The AERB, along with international agencies, took regulatory decisions based on the findings of an elaborate and extensive safety review. He further said that an expert team from the International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, visited India in 2012 to inspect and review various safety aspects in nuclear power projects across the country. It was satisfied with the safety measures taken in all the nuclear power projects. After the Fukushima disaster in Japan (which was not manmade), the AERB was very keen to ensure the safety of nuclear power projects across the country, said Mr. Ramkumar. The Head of Analytical Chemistry Division, BARC, A. V. R. Reddy, said that the BARC founded the Indian Association of Nuclear Chemists and Allied Scientists in 1981 to popularise the beneficial aspects of nuclear energy, its applications of radioisotopes in sciences, industry, agriculture and healthcare among the academic community. Instead of concentrating on national security, the BARC was very keen to ensure the uplift of socio-economic status of people.