Chapter IV COMMITTEE ON ANTARCTIC GOVERNANCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

1. (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
     • (ii) Geo-politics;
   • (d) such other experts in the relevant field, to be nominated by the Central Government.
2. (2) An officer, not below the rank of Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Earth Sciences, shall be the Member-Secretary, ex officio.
3. (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. (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. (5) In the discharge of their functions, the members shall follow such procedure as may be prescribed.

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.

The Committee shall perform the following functions, namely:—

1. (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;
2. (b) undertake any advisory, supervisory or enforcement activities in relation to programmes and activities in Antarctica;
3. (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;
4. (d) maintain records pertaining to the programmes and activities conducted by Parties in Antarctica;
5. (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;
6. (f) determine the terms and conditions of the permit issued under this Act;
7. (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;
8. (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.

1. (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. (2) In case of a dispute between the Committee and the Central Government, the decision of the Central Government shall be final.