23. Constitution of Committee.— (1) The Central Government shall, by notification, establish a
Committee to be called the Committee on Antarctic Governance and Environmental Protection
consisting of the following members, namely:—
(a) Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Chairperson, ex officio;
(b) ten members not below the rank of Joint Secretary, ex officio, to be nominated by the
Central Government, from any of the Ministries or Departments or organisations of the Central
Government dealing with,—
(i) Defence;
(ii) External Affairs;
(iii) Finance;
(iv) Fisheries;
(v) Legal Affairs;
(vi) Science and Technology;
(vii) Shipping;
(viii) Tourism;
(ix) Environment;
(x) Communication;
(xi) Space;
(xii) National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research; and
(xiii) National Security Council Secretariat;
(c) two experts to be nominated by the Central Government, from the fields of,—
(i) Antarctic environment; and
11
(ii) Geo-politics;
(d) such other experts in the relevant field, to be nominated by the Central Government.
(2) An officer, not below the rank of Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Earth Sciences, shall be the
Member-Secretary, ex officio.
(3) The members nominated under clauses (c) and (d) of sub-section (1) shall hold office for such
period and subject to such terms and conditions as may be specified in the notification referred to in
sub-section (1).
(4) The members nominated under clauses (c) and (d) of sub-section (1) shall be entitled to receive
such allowances or fees as may be prescribed, for attending the meetings of the Committee.
(5) In the discharge of their functions, the members shall follow such procedure as may be
prescribed.
24. Meetings of Committee.—The Committee shall meet at such intervals and observe such rules
of procedure in regard to the transaction of business at its meetings (including the quorum thereat) as
may be prescribed.
25. Functions of Committee.—The Committee shall perform the following functions, namely:—
(a) monitor, implement and ensure compliance of the relevant international laws, emission
standards and rules for the protection of Antarctic environment by the Operators or by any other
persons engaged in programmes and activities in Antarctica;
(b) undertake any advisory, supervisory or enforcement activities in relation to programmes
and activities in Antarctica;
(c) obtain and review relevant information and reports provided by Parties to the Treaty, the
Convention, the Protocol and other Parties engaged in programmes and activities in Antarctica;
(d) maintain records pertaining to the programmes and activities conducted by Parties in
Antarctica;
(e) ensure that the programmes and activities are consistent with India's obligations under the
Treaty, the Convention, the Protocol and with such other relevant law for the time being in force
in India;
(f) determine the terms and conditions of the permit issued under this Act;
(g) negotiate fees or charges with other Parties to the Treaty, the Convention and the Protocol
on a case to case basis in respect of the programmes and activities in Antarctica;
(h) collaborate with other Parties to attain the above goals; and
(i) such other functions as may be delegated to it by the Central Government.
26. Power of Central Government to give directions.—(1) The Central Government may give
such directions, as it may deem necessary, to the Committee for the effective administration of this
Act and the Committee shall comply with such directions.
(2) In case of a dispute between the Committee and the Central Government, the decision of the
Central Government shall be final.