The Atomic Energy Act,1962
13. Novation of certain contracts.
(1) The Central Government may serve on the parties to a contract relating to prospecting or mining of any substance from which any of the prescribed substances can be obtained or to production or use of atomic energy or to research into matters connected therewith, not being a contract for the rendering of personal services, a notice in writing stating that on such date as may be specified in the notice the rights and liabilities of any of the parties to the contract specified in the notice ( hereinafter referred to as the specified party) will be transferred to the Central Government, and thereupon subject to any withdrawal of the notice under the following provisions of this section, the contract shall ,as regards any rights exercisable, or liabilities incurred, on or after the said date, have effect as if the Central Government were a party to the contract instead of the specified party and as if for any reference in the contract to the specified party there were substituted a reference to the Central Government.
(2) A notice served under sub-section (1) shall contain a statement to the effect than an objection may be made thereto within such time and in such manner as may be specified, and if any such objection is duly made and not withdrawn, the Central Government shall afford an opportunity to the person making the objection of appearing before and being heard by a person appointed by the Central Government for the purpose.
(3) After considering any such objection and the report of the person appointed by it under sub-section (2), the Central Government may make such order as it may deem proper.
(4) Where the rights and liabilities of a party to a contract are transferred to the Central Government under this section, there shall be paid to that party such compensation in respect of any loss suffered by that party as may be agreed between him and the Central Government, and in default of such agreement, as may be determined by arbitration.
