new Delhi. The Government of India introduced the Antarctica Bill 2022 in the Lok Sabha on Friday, a bill related to India’s research activities in Antarctica and the protection of the environment. Union Minister of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Jitendra Singh introduced this bill in the Lok Sabha, calling it necessary, amid objections from the opposition parties.
Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, on behalf of the opposition parties, opposed the introduction of the bill, saying that there are many technical problems and drafting mistakes in it. He demanded to send this bill to the Select or Joint Committee. The Congress MP opposed the introduction of the bill and said that how this law can be applicable to foreign nationals. Referring to international treaties, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said that India does not have the right to make such a law. Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy questioned the propriety of the bill, stating that Antarctica is outside India’s jurisdiction. He also opposed the bill and demanded to send it to the Standing Committee.
BJP MP Nishikant Dubey rejected the arguments given by the opposition parties and said that India has every right to make such a law.
Responding to the objections raised by the opposition parties, the Union Minister of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Jitendra Singh said that this bill has been brought with a view to curb illegal activities in the Indian station area in Antarctica and under an old treaty it is also mandatory.
Speaking in the Lok Sabha about the propriety of the bill, Jitendra Singh said that it is true that Antarctica is a ‘no man’s land’ but according to a treaty made in 1959, 54 countries of the world including India should make such a law. mandatory.
He further said that India has two research stations operating in Antarctica and if there is any illegal activity in that area then how will action be taken against it? That’s why this bill has been brought.
Let us tell you that India’s Antarctica program started in 1981. Through the Indian Antarctica Bill 2022, India is going to fulfill its responsibilities under the Antarctica Treaty 1959, the Antarctica Aquatic Life Resources Conservation Treaty 1982 and the Antarctica Treaty Protocol 1988 for the protection of the environment in the region.
—AnyTV News
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