New Delhi, Dec. 17 -- Nearly two decades ago, India's then government had staked its Lok Sabha majority on a deal with the US that would enable a ramp-up of nuclear energy. It won its confidence vote, but that high-stakes clean-power project remained a damp squib.

Now, the Centre is ready for another go, aimed at taking capacity from under 9GW to 100GW by 2047.

A proposed law looks set to scrap restraints, allow private participation and attract foreign reactor suppliers deterred by their legal liability burden in case of an accident; as reported, the bill may relieve suppliers of that risk exposure.

A cap on what operators of nuclear plants would be liable to pay, however, demands debate. It must not scare off private players, but it ...