The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) has decided to allow private entrepreneurs to set up plants using radiation technology for sterilization of medical products and processing of food products. The move is in the wake of Department's decision not to set up any more new plants of its own for utilizing radiation technology for these purposes.

A number of MoUs have been signed with the private sector in this regard, it said. Three such plants in the private sector are under various stages of construction and would be commissioned within the next two years. The cost of a typical industrial scale radiation processing plant is estimated to be around Rs seven crore. DAE owns three plants, one for sterlisation of medical products / equipment, another for higenisation of spices and other items and the third one for sprout inhibition of onions.

According to a DAE press release, though the government is open to specific offers for private sector participation, Indian or foreign in nuclear power generation, it has so far not received any concrete proposals for the same. Such offers when received will be considered under the prevalent rules and regulations, DAE said.