AMRITSAR: Prof Darbari Lal, former deputy speaker of Punjab Vidhan Sabha and senior congress leader from the state accused BJP of double standards on its stance on India US nuclear accord and hailed Prime Minister's statement that nuclear energy is imperative for furthering development in power, industrial, agriculture and medical sectors .

In a press note issued here, he said that the privileged accord will open new vistas to meet over ever growing demands for energy and electricity desperately needed by Indian industry for phenomenon growth. It will also pave the way to get new technologies essential for use in agro and health research.

He revealed that " for the years, country aspired to develop alternative sources of energy, the nuclear energy being prominent among them. At present, out of total energy needs of the country, nuclear option contributes only small percentage . Nuclear energy is used the world over to produce power and it is 30 per cent in the US and 70 per cent in France, whereas it is a just one per cent in India'.

Prof Lal lamented that opposition to the nuclear deal between India and the US is out of lack of comprehension and inherent opposition to the US.

 He endorsed the view point that the nineteenth century belonged to Europe, 20th century to the US and India will make a mark in the 21st century and would elevate itself from the status of a developing nation to join the elite of developed nations.

He added that the proposed accord will enhance Indian standing in the global order, and can brighten the chances of the supply of rare defense equipments from the US to strengthen our regional superiority other wise denied to Pakistan and China.

He said that the pact is going to fulfill the long cherished desires of our scientists to work closely with their US counterparts for nuclear research, and academia stands to gain with lot of mutual cooperation in nuclear research flourishing at the university level. 

Prof Darbari Lal opined that difference of opinion with left on the matter are indicative of inner democracy with in the UPA and need not be viewed as a threat to the government at centre.