ATOMS - A SMALL FORTUNE

Atom’s are changing our lives through day & night, what we are witnessing in the 21st century is that atomic energy is a substitute for traditional energy sources all around the world, not only it helps in reducing the pollution levels but also it helps in reshaping the technology around it. In order to overlook this domain the government operates through DAE (DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY), the history of the department goes as follow :-

DAE works as a tree-like structure where various departments, sectors, units work under its modus operandi. Such as:-

Not only this, but there is a list of various other Aided Institutions and Other Organizations of DAE which work in collaboration with the department such as :- • Tata Institute of Fundamental Research • Harish-Chandra Research Institute • Institute of Physics • National Institute of Science Education & Research • Institute for Plasma Research • Homi Bhabha National Institute • Atomic Energy Education Society • Board of Research in Nuclear Sciences etc...

As far as the energy domain is concerned, we can see that the cost per MW of reactors depends on the business model adopted & nuclear is considered to be a high cost, but the tariff of the electricity generated through nuclear is competitive to any other mode due to low fuel cost component.

The use of atomic energy is not only restricted to the power sector but as per the Department of Atomic Energy on answer to question no. 2737 at LOK SABHA, INDIAN PARLIAMENT , various other domains are witnessing the use of it.

1. Agriculture: Using radiation induced mutagenesis along with cross breeding, DAE has developed 44 varieties in oil seeds (groundnut, mustard, soybean and sunflower), pulses (URD bean, mung bean, pigeon pea, cow pea), rice and jute, which have been released and notified for commercial cultivation across the country. It resulted in higher yield, better quality & and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses.

2. Food preservation: Feasibility of food irradiation for preservation of food has been studied for a number of agricultural and food commodities for several years in order to ensure national food security.

3. Municipal Waste Sludge Hygienisation: DAE has set up the first dry sludge Hygienisation Plant at Ahmedabad, Gujarat for treatment of 110 ton/day dry sludge. This would enable use of safe sludge for agricultural applications.

4. Health Care Sector: In the health care sector these are areas such as Radioisotopes, Imaging, Bhabhatron which support the use of atomic energy.
   

On the financial front, the Department of Atomic Energy is authorized to operate its funds mainly under two Grants viz. Grant No.4 - Atomic Energy and Grant No.5 - Nuclear Power Schemes. It the aim of government to full utilize the funds available to aim & in case if the saving increase 100 cr. the same is furnished to Director General of Audit, Central Revenues for vetting. On vetting of the same, it will be furnished to Public Accounts Committee through Ministry of Finance.

However the way DAE earns & spends is something we all want to know, since it is a government organization so the accounts are maintained under these three categories :- •PUBLIC ACCOUNT OF INDIA

•CONSOLIDATED FUND OF INDIA

•CONTINGENCY FUND OF INDIA Public Account of India counts for Receipts flown from the sale of savings certificates, contributions into General Provident Fund and Public Provident Fund, Security Deposits and Earnest Money Deposit. The Public Account also includes various suspense and remittance heads.

Average receipts & expenditure for last 5 years by DAE (PUBLIC FUND)

Consolidated Fund of India mainly accounts for Revenue Section, Capital Section and Public Debt and Loans and Advances including all revenues received by Government by way of taxation and Other Receipts w.r.t. Government businesses. Similarly, all loans raised by Government by issue of Public Notifications, Treasury Bills and Loans obtained from Foreign Governments and International Monetary institutions and all money received by Government in repayment of Loans and Interest thereon are also credited into this Fund. On the other hand expenditure includes repayment of internal and external debt and release of loans to States/Union Territory, Governments. Also, it counts for receipt & expenditure of capital nature.

The Contingency fund of India is used to provide immediate relief to victims of natural calamities and also to implement any new policy decision taken by the Government. Average receipts & expenditure for last 5 years by DAE ( CONSOLIDATED FUND)

As far as the overall investment in the atomic sector is concerned the Total investment by the central Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) under the Department of Atomic Energy is likely to stand at Rs 14,851 crore in the current financial year.

Perhaps renewable s which is faster to install and cheaper and distributed near the user point should be taken seriously in the overall power planning. Meir investment itself cannot be taken as a growth. Plus India needs to add the Nuclear power as renewable s and Environment friendly because country like India may not fulfill all its energy needs from Solar and wind. It's edge on Thorium based Nuclear power production is the best answer for India's green Powers. India's largest thorium in its sands of vast coast may provide enough jobs Vast power sources.

The leaders are trying to adopt a road map to 2025 to welcome and guide the ongoing long-negotiated civil nuclear agreement on research and development cooperation in use of atomic energy and launched a number of initiatives in maritime security, trade and investment, law enforcement, energy, cyber space and artificial intelligence.

While the leaders are working ,all we do is to sit, wait, watch and hope, as you all did all this while for this next blog to happen (kidding).. until the next blog .. ta da!!