India panel to suggest tougher nuclear liability bill

NEW DELHI Aug 17 (Reuters) - An Indian parliamentary panel will on Wednesday recommend changes to a bill aimed at opening up a $150 billion nuclear power market, including more compensation for accidents and extending liability to private suppliers.

The panel will recommend the liability cap be trebled to $320 million, a member of the panel who did not wish to be identified, said.

The recommendations, largely backed by opposition parties, would mean higher costs for firms such as U.S.-based General Electric (GE.N) and Westinghouse Electric, a subsidiary of Japan's Toshiba Corp (6502.T), which would have to pay higher insurance premiums.

"The operator will also sign a contract which will hold suppliers liable if any accident is caused by defective equipment," the member said on condition on anonymity as the report has to be presented to parliament first. (Reporting by Nigam Prusty; Editing by Surojit Gupta)