House Panel Visit To Aqua Farms Cancelled

Intense activity within the Janata Dal and the Congress over party elections has taken another toll: The visit of a parliamentary delegation to the coastal states on the controversy over the demolition of acquaculture farms, ordered by the Supreme Court, has been cancelled.

The delegation was to have begun its visit from June 7. Indications are that it will now be re-scheduled after the party elections are over on June 10.

The visit had been arranged by Union minister for agriculture Chaturanan Mishra following a discussion on the last day of the budget session of Parliament on the subject. Each party was to nominate an MP for the visit.Justice Kuldip Singh had directed states to demolish all acquaculture farms along the coastal belts in the country on environment grounds.

Its operation, however, was stayed initially until April 30 and later until July 30.

Meanwhile, the government introduced a bill on the dispute in the Rajya Sabha during the budget session.

After its passage in the Upper House, it was introduced in the Lok Sabha on the last day of the budget session.

Its passage was stalled as members wanted to ascertain views of affected states also.

Chaturanan Mishra had agreed to a suggestion that a parliamentary delegation visit selected places in coastal states, and ascertain the views of the state governments.