Left parties today alleged that the nuclear liability bill is being pushed through hurriedly

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and under pressure from the US by government to give American companies a "huge hidden subsidy" at the cost of Indian tax payers.

The four parties -- CPI(M), CPI, RSP and Forward Bloc -- also alleged that the UPA is "clearly motivated" to bring this legislation as the US, with which it is presently negotiating a fuel re-processing agreement, has made it clear that they were keenly following the developments in this regard.

In an appeal to MPs to oppose the bill seeking to put a cap on liability in case of nuclear accidents, the parties questioned the government rationale to put a cap on liability at Rs 2,142.85 crore, out of which around Rs 1,642 crore will be borne by government and the rest by the reactor operator.

"We are opposed to this cap. The damage caused by a nuclear accident is enormous and the small cap of Rs 2,142.85 crore shows the scant regard the Centre holds for the people. Any damage beyond this will be compensated either by government or the operator," CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat told a joint press conference of Left leaders here.

He said the Civil Nuclear Liability Bill proposes no legal liability of the foreign reactor supplier even if it supplies faulty and substandard equipment.

"The nuclear liability regime being proposed through the bill is nothing but a huge hidden subsidy to the US equipment suppliers. It appears that in order to promote private nuclear plants and favour US suppliers, the UPA is willing to sacrifice the interests of Indian people," he said.