Parl panel flays earth sciences min for delays affecting

A Parliamentary committee today slammed the Ministry of Earth Sciences for failing to delegate appropriate powers to the Earth Commission and directed it to carry out the same at the earliest to enable the body to effectively fulfil its role.
Despite repeated assurances, the Ministry has failed to delegate powers to the commission which is responsible for formulating, overseeing and implementing policies and programmes of the Ministry, noted the standing committee on Science and Technology, Environment and Forest.
"From the action-taken notes of the Ministry, one could gather that no progress has been made on the issue since last year. (There is also) an impression that the Ministry has not made sincere efforts towards it.

"The committee accordingly reiterates its recommendations and directs the Ministry to ensure that a decision on delegation of appropriate powers to the Earth Commission is taken at the earliest and, in any case, by the end of this financial year," the Parliamentary committee said.
In its report tabled in Parliament, the committee further expressed strong displeasure over the snail's pace of progress by the Ministry on a project to set up a centre for seismology. The committee flayed the Ministry for what it said was its lack of seriousness to complete the project within three years.
"The committee once again directs the Ministry to expeditiously complete the procedural formalities so that the centre is set up within the (said) timeframe," he said.