• India extends existing tax waivers for nuclear to 2035 The Union Budget was tabled in India’s parliament on Monday by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman with the key goal “to accelerate and sustain economic growth, by enhancing productivity and competitiveness, and building resilience to volatile global dynamics”. • According tothe budget papersthe zero rate applies to goods including “[Fuel elements (cartridges), non-irradiated] for generation of nuclear power” and “Control and Protection Absorber Rods & Burnable Absorber Rods”. • The exemption will last until 30 September 2035, and include approved projects registered with customs by that date. • The announcement of the extension of the customs duty exemption on the import of goods related to nuclear energy comes as India ramps up its plans for a large-scale expansion of nuclear energy. • According to Parliamentary answers in the Rajya Sabha - India’s Upper House of Parliament - from Minister Jitendra Singh on Thursday, the current nuclear energy capacity in India is 8,780 MW from 24 operable nuclear power plants. • Four of these units are currently undergoing modernisation or refurbishment work.
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