The Institute of Law, Nirma University inaugurated its Centre for Energy Law, Policy and Strategy (CELPS) with the distinguished seminar on “Contemporary Legal Issues of Energy Accessibility, Affordability, Sustainability and Security” on February 4, 2020. The session hosted Smt. Sunaina Tomar IAS, Principal Secretary to Govt of Gujarat, Energy and Petrochemical Department, as the Chief Guest for the seminar along with other eminent guests. Ms Tomar asserted the importance of legal knowledge in almost every profession to build a strong common sense as the application of law can be seen in every professional field.
Prof. Dr J. Kumar, Head of Centre for Energy Law, Policy and Strategy, Nirma University introduced the centre with the idea behind inaugurating the centre and the future expectations from the same.
The Centre for Energy Law, Policy and Strategy has been inaugurated to study the laws in a multi-disciplinary method. The session observed the presence of Dr S. Gangotra, Senior Technical Advisor to Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission, Govt of India, as Keynote Speaker who enlightened the students with the process of nuclear fission to obtain nuclear energy. He also touched upon the international concern for the enrichment of Uranium by various countries for the production of nuclear weapons.
Mr Anil Kumar, IPS, Director General- Special Police Establishment Lokayukta, MP, discussed the system and procedure available in response to the theft, sabotage or any other malicious acts involving nuclear or radiological materials and shed light upon the international instruments in place to prevent any mishap.
Another Keynote Speaker, Mr Raj Singh Niranjan, Managing Partner Trans India Law Associates, discussed the idea of constituting the right to energy to be a fundamental right and providing clean fuel to rural parts of India to avoid any health hazards.
Mr Shashikant Yadav also addressed the audience, speaking at length about the scope of natural gas availability for India through Shale Gas Fracking and the need for the legal regime to address the issues that come along with such processes.
The event was presided over by Prof. (Dr). Anup K Singh, Director General, Nirma University. Earlier, Prof. Dr Purvi Pokhariyal, Director and Dean, Institute of Law, welcomed the audience for this inaugural ceremony and highlighted the credentials of all the eminent personalities present.
Dr Bishwa K Dash, Assistant Professor, Institute of Law, delivered the vote of thanks.