Challenge now to Negotiate Plant Price with US: Srinivasan

Chennai, Jan 25 (IANS) Senior nuclear scientist M.R.Srinivasan, welcoming the agreement reached between India and the US in the nuclear power field Sunday, said the challenge now is on discussions on the cost of the plants to be imported from the US.

Onn the day when India and the US achieved a "breakthrough" to the logjam to allow their 2008 civil nuclear deal move forward, Srinivasan, who had negotiated on behalf of India with Russia for supply of reactors for Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KNPP), was named as one of the Padma Vibushan awardees.

"Now the discussion should be focussed on the cost of the nuclear plant to be imported from the US. It is the most difficult task that needs to be accomplished," Srinivasan told IANS.

The Padma Vibuhsan award was a belated birthday present for the 84-year-old scientist, born Jan 5, 1930 and he feels doubly happy about it.

"I am happy to receive the award. It is the recognition for the people who worked with me," he said.

Srinivasan, who has nearly 60 years experience in the Indian nuclear field and seen the construction of most of the country's atomic power plants, was conferred the Padma Padma Bhushan in 1990 and the Padma Shri in 1984.