16,925 Cr BE for Dept of Atomic Energy in General Budget 2019-20

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:

1. MahiBanswara Atomic Power project- 1 to 4,
2. Kaiga Atomic Power project – 5 & 6,
3. Gorakhpur Atomic Power project- 3 & 4,
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