Govt. introduces Aquaculture Bill amid Din in Lok Sabha
Context:
The government introduced Coastal Aquaculture Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2023 in the parliament amongst the protests for a Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Adani issue.
Points to ponder:
- On Wednesday, opposition members interrupted the Lok Sabha in order to demand a Joint Parliamentary Committee investigation into the Adani matter.
- In the middle of the confusion, the government unveiled the Coastal Aquaculture Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
- In order to encourage ease of doing business, the Bill seeks to decriminalize some of the offenses listed under the earlier 2005 Act.
- Under the new Bill, the Coastal Aquaculture Authority’s working processes will be improved.
- The Bill seeks to encourage more modern, environmentally friendly forms of coastal aquaculture, which may lead to more job opportunities.
- In coastal aquaculture, the Bill prohibits the use of antibiotics and pharmacologically active substances that are detrimental to human health.
- The House was adjourned by BJP MP Rama Devi, who was serving as Speaker, as a result of the opposition’s persistent complaints.
- The Coastal Aquaculture Authority Act, 2005 (24 of 2005), passed by the Indian Parliament on June 23, 2005, establishes the Coastal Aquaculture Authority to oversee activities related to coastal aquaculture in coastal areas and any issues that may arise in connection with or incidental to those activities.
- By prescribing guidelines, the Central Government is required by the Act to take all necessary and expedient steps to regulate coastal aquaculture, ensuring that it does not harm the coastal environment.
- The concept of responsible coastal aquaculture contained in the guidelines shall be followed in regulating coastal aquaculture activities to protect the livelihood of various sections of people living in the coastal area.
