Speaking to mediapersons here on Saturday, AEC chairman R Chidambaram said the Department of Atomic Energy was keen on encouraging private participation in the nuclear power generation, without compromising on safety and security of nuclear power reactors.

``We do require about Rs 80,000 crore to generate 20,000 MW and we are open on inviting private investments for the purpose. However, right now there are no proposals before us,'' Chidambaram said. Presently, around 2,000 MW nuclear power was being generated in the country.

Nuclear Power Corporation (NPC) director Ch Surender, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) director Anil Kakodkar and Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC) chief executive C Ganguly too were present. They were all here in connection with the meeting of the Cabinet advisory committee on atomic energy onFriday.

Expressing satisfaction over the improved plant load factor (PLF) of NFC units upto 75 per cent, Chidambaram announced that 500 MW nuclear power station at Kaiga (Stage II) in Karnataka would go critical by July this year.

Another 1,000 MW nuclear power plant at Kudamkulam in Tamil Nadu would be taken up with Russian technical assistance, agreement for which was signed on March 16, he said. As per an earlier agreement in 1988, Russians were supposed to construct the reactor on a turnkey basis.

But, later their participation was reduced to providing technical assistance, Chidambaram said. According to him, India was self-reliant on the nuclear power front and no amount of sanctions by Western countries would affect the country's capabilities.

Referring to the proposals to set up atomic power plants in Andhra Pradesh, the AEC chairman said that both AP and Karnataka were found suitable for such plants. Though the AEC wanted to set up one at Nagarjunasagar, it was turned down by the Ministry ofEnvironment, he said.

However, the AEC was still exploring the possibilities to set up clusters of small nuclear power plants in AP and the site selection committee was on the job. The Atomic Energy Regulatory Commission would be taking steps for the safety and security of the nuclear reactors, he pointed out.

Chidambaram said that AP was being provided about 123 MW power from Kalapakkam in Tamil Nadu from today, to tide over the power shortage in the state.

Chidambaram parried questions on the nuclear submarines row raised by sacked naval chief Vishnu Bhagawat as well as India's' stand on signing the CTBT, stating that he would not like to go into political issues.

However, he felt that as Pokhran II last May provided enough data and information on the application of nuclear material and devices, there would not be any need for more blasts. ``Moreover, India imposed volunteer moratorium on further blasts,'' he pointed out.

Chidambaram said the resumed talks between India and Pakistan did not coverany proposal for mutual inspection of nuclear installations in the two countries. ``There is no such proposal except the no-first use (nuclear bomb) offer by the Indian Prime Minister,'' he said.