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The Seeds Bill, 2004 introduced in Rajya Sabha on 9th December 2004 has been referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture, headed by Prof. Ram Gopal Yadav, Member of Parliament, for examination and report.
The Seeds Bill, 2004 provides for constitution of a separate Registration Sub-Committee to look after the various aspects related to registration and maintenance of a National Register of Seeds of different kinds and varieties. The Bill also seeks to put a check on the sale of spurious and poor quality seeds and to the provide compensation to affected farmers. It intends to increase private participation in seed production, distribution, certification, seed testing, besides making provision for stringent penalty for non-compliance of the rules and regulations. The proposal legislation aims to liberalize import of seeds and planting materials compatible with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) commitments. The new Bill which seeks to regulate the quality of seeds for sale, import and export and to facilitate production and supply of seeds will replace the existing Seeds Act, 1966.
The Committee, therefore, invite written memoranda from Agricultural Research Institutions and Universities, National and State level Seeds Corporations, Private Seed Companies, Scientists, Experts, Farmers’ Organisations, NGOs and other interest groups/individuals containing their views/suggestions/comments on the Bill. Those desirous of submitting memoranda to the Committee may send two copies (each in English and Hindi) thereof in a sealed cover, to Shri Devender singh, Director, Lok Sabha Secretariat, Room No.413, Parliament House Annexe, New Delhi – 110001, Tel. No.23034413 and Fax No.23018111 & 23010756, e-mail:dsingh@sansad.nic.in within 30 days of the date of the advertisement, indicating inter-alia whether they would also be interested in giving oral evidence before the Committee. The text of the Bill is available at Internet add: www.agricoop.nic.in/seeds/seeds_bill.htm.
The Memoranda, submitted to the Committee, would form part of the records of the Committee and treated as strictly confidential and the contents thereof may not be divulged to anyone, as such an act would constitute a breach of privilege of the Committee.
UM/RC/Hb
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