Thursday, December 22 2005 14:20 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Government is preparing a comprehensive blue print on a long-term energy policy which would look into various options of meeting energy needs, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told the Rajya Sabha today (Dec 22, 2005).

"Preparations are on for a comprehensive blue print on long-term energy policy and discussions are in progress. The Cabinet Committee on Energy has been constituted and had been charged with the responsibility of looking at various option relevant when it comes to a long term energy requirement", Singh said during Question Hour.

In reply to another question, the Prime Minister said during his recent visit to Russia, the two sides held detailed discussions on energy.

On whether India had international support for receiving nuclear civil energy supplies, Singh said New Delhi had the broad support of the United States, Britain, France and Russia in this regard.

"The July 18 statement issued after my visit to United States has the broad support of U.S, U.K, France and Russia", the Prime Minister said.

In reply to a query from former External Affairs Minister and BJP leader Yashwant Sinha on whether discussions were held on the issue of supply of low enriched uranium for the Tarapur power plant and whether the Russian response was positive, Singh said all energy issues concerning India were discussed.

"We have had comprehensive discussions with regard to energy situation and therefore all sources of energy which are pertaining to India's energy security were discussed with the Russian side", the Prime Minister said.

Replying to another query, the Prime Minister said the proposal for expanding the capacity of Kodankulam Nuclear power plant in south India was discussed with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In reply to another question from Congress Member Karan Singh, Singh said during his talks with Russian leaders, he took the initiative to invite a number of scholars working on India related problems. The scholars had some proposals to deal with the problems.

"They (the proposals) will be processed in due course of time", the Prime Minister said.

Singh told former ISRO Chairman K. Kasthurirangan (NOM) that he would supply him with details of the agreement on cooperation in the field of the Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS).

In reply to the main question on Prime Minister's recent visit to Russia, Minister of State for External Affairs, Rao Inderjit Singh said three agreements were signed after summit level meetings with Putin.

They included agreement on Reciprocal Protection of Intellectual Property Rights in the field of Military-Technical Cooperation, Agreement on Technology safeguard while implementing long-term cooperation in the areas of joint development, operation and use of the GLONASS system for peaceful purposes.