General powers of the Central Government

Section 3 of the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 deals with general powers of the Central Government. Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Central Government shall have power-- (a) to produce, develop, use and dispose of atomic energy [either by itself or through any authority or corporation established by it or a Government company] and carry out research into any matters connected therewith; The Act came into force on 21 Sep 1962.

Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Central Government shall have power--

(a) to produce, develop, use and dispose of atomic energy ¹[either by itself or through any authority or corporation established by it or a Government company] and carry out research into any matters connected therewith;

²[(b) to manufacture or otherwise produce any prescribed or radioactive substance and any articles which in its opinion are, or are likely to be, required for or in connection with, the production, development or use of atomic energy or such research as aforesaid and to dispose of such prescribed or radioactive substance or any articles manufactured or otherwise produced;

(bb) (i) to buy or otherwise acquire, store and transport any prescribed or radioactive substance and any articles which in its opinion are, or are likely to be, required for, or in connection with, the production, development or use of atomic energy; and

(ii) to dispose of such prescribed or radioactive substance or any articles bought or otherwise acquired by it,

either by itself or through any authority or corporation established by it, or a Government company;]

(c) to declare as “restricted information” any information not so far published or otherwise made public relating to--

(i) the location, quality and quantity of prescribed substances and transactions for their acquisition, whether by purchase or otherwise, or disposal, whether by sale or otherwise;

(ii) the processing or prescribed substances and the extraction or production of fissile materials from them;

(iii) the theory, design, construction and operation of plants for the treatment and production of any of the prescribed substances and for the separation or isotopes;

(iv) the theory, design, construction and operation of nuclear reactors;

(v) research and technological work on materials and processes involved in or derived from items (i) to (iv);

(d) to declare as “prohibited area” any area or premises where work including research, design or development is carried on in respect of the production, treatment, use, application or disposal of atomic energy or of any prescribed substances;

(e) to provide for control over radioactive substances or radiation generating plant in order to--

(i) prevent radiation hazards;

(ii) secure public safety and safety or persons handling radioactive substances or radiation generating plant; and

(iii) ensure safe disposal of radioactive wastes;

(f) to provide for the production and supply of electricity from atomic energy and for taking measures conducive to such production and supply and for all matters incidental thereto ¹[either by itself or through any authority or corporation established by it or a Government company]; and

(g) to do all such things (including the erection of buildings and execution of works and the working of minerals) as the Central Government considers necessary or expedient for the exercise of the foregoing powers.

Section 3, The Atomic Energy Act, 1962 (Act 33 of 1962).