The Union Budget 2019-20 proposed customs duty reductions on certain raw materials and capital goods needed for nuclear power plants. While presenting the Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman said these measures will further promote domestic manufacturing.
The customs duty reduction will be applicable for the following nuclear power plants:
- MahiBanswara Atomic Power project- 1 to 4,
- Kaiga Atomic Power project – 5 & 6,
- Gorakhpur Atomic Power project- 3 & 4,
- Chutka Atomic Power project- 1 & 2
With regard to Budget Estimates for Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Rs 16,925 crore has been provided for FY 2019-20. The outlay for major schemes are given below:
Outlay of major schemes:
(in Rs crore)
Schemes 2018-19 (RE) 2019-20 (BE)
Nuclear fuel inventory 417 749
R&D basic Science and Engineering 1000 1320
R&D for Fast Reactor S&T 210 271
Backed Fuel cycle projects 240 440
Radiation & Isotopes project 30 110
Nuclear Power Projects 64 110
Nuclear Fuel Projects 164 170
AERB Expansion Project 15 40