Bangalore, July 5 : The Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission Dr. Anil Kakodkar has stated that the sooner the nuclear deal was concluded, it would be better for the country.

Talking to ANI in an exclusive interview in Bangalore on Friday on the sideline of a scientist's gathering, he said that presently Indian reactors were a 'mismatch' and running under capacity.

However, he said he was confident of bridging the gap.

Dr. Kakodkar was in Bangalore to address a galaxy of scientists on "Development of nuclear energy in India: Rationale and Perspective", at the ninth mid- year meeting of the Indian Academy of Sciences organized by Indian Institute of Science.

He further said India was looking at exploring more uranium mines to augment the needs of the nuclear reactors.

However he refused to answer any political questions on the deal. He also spoke about Indian preparedness to face any eventuality. .

Meanwhile talking to ANI Director of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) Dr. Srikumar Banerjee has said that India was looking at meeting the uranium needs of the reactors through new exploration.

He also indicated that India was going ahead to commission eight new generation reactors of 700 megawatts each.

Another senior nuclear scientist who has been critical of the 123 agreement, Dr. Placid Rodriguez, pointed out that even though the country needed uranium, the 123 agreement opened the door to US to sell their defence products than supply uranium. (ANI)