Appoints following person as member of the Coconut Development Board

## Report on Amendment to Coconut Development Board Policy **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes a specific amendment to the Coconut Development Board policy as notified by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare on September 14, 2022. This amendment, detailed in notification S.O. 4900(E), concerns the appointment of a new member, Shri S. Selvaganabathy, to the Coconut Development Board, representing the Council of States (Rajya Sabha). The purpose of this amendment is to add a new member to the board as stipulated by clause (e) of subsection 4 of section 4 of the Coconut Development Board Act, 1979 and read with rule 4 of the Coconut Development Board Rules, 1981. The key finding is that this amendment expands the Board's membership to include representation from the Council of States, potentially broadening the Board's perspective and expertise. **2. Introduction:** This report aims to provide a detailed overview of the amendment to the Coconut Development Board policy, based on the official notification published in the Gazette of India on October 17, 2022. The analysis is based solely on the provided text of the notification. **3. Policy Overview:** * **Amendment to:** The original policy was published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Subsection ii, vide notification number S.O. 21(E), dated January 12, 1981, and was last amended vide notification number S.O. 1736(E), dated April 8, 2022. * **Core Objective(s):** Based on the amendment text, the core objective is to ensure the inclusion of a representative from the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) as a member of the Coconut Development Board, as mandated by the Coconut Development Board Act, 1979. **4. Background and Rationale:** This amendment likely arises from a need to broaden the representation and expertise within the Coconut Development Board. By including a member from the Council of States, the Board gains access to the legislative insights and experience of an individual familiar with national policy-making processes. This amendment ensures adherence to the Coconut Development Board Act, 1979, and its associated rules regarding board composition. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** * **Specific Part of Original Policy Changed:** The amendment modifies the section of the original policy related to the appointment of members "under clause e of subsection 4 of section 4" of the Coconut Development Board Act, 1979. This clause pertains to members appointed by the Central Government. * **New Rule/Provision:** The amendment inserts a new entry (4A) under the heading "Appointed under clause e of subsection 4 of section 4," adding Shri S. Selvaganabathy as a member representing the Council of States (Rajya Sabha). The notification specifies his address in Puducherry. * **Difference/Effect of Change:** The addition of Shri S. Selvaganabathy to the Board brings a perspective from the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) , potentially influencing the Board's decision-making processes and policy recommendations. This inclusion likely aims to enhance the Board's understanding of relevant legislative and policy considerations, and to improve the connection between the CDB and the Parliament. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** The direct target audience and stakeholders affected by this amendment include: * **The Coconut Development Board:** This amendment directly affects the Board's composition and potentially its operational dynamics. * **Shri S. Selvaganabathy:** The appointed member. * **Coconut farmers and the coconut industry:** Indirectly affected as the composition of the board will affect the board's decisions. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, specifically the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, is responsible for implementing this amendment. The Coconut Development Board is also a key body involved. * **Timelines/Procedures:** The amendment specifies that Shri S. Selvaganabathy's term is for three years, effective from the date of the Gazette notification (October 17, 2022), or until he ceases to be a Member of the Council of States, whichever is earlier. No other specific procedures are outlined in the provided text. * **Implementation aspects of this change:** The CDB will have to ensure that Shri S. Selvaganabathy is included in all relevant communications and meetings. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The likely intended outcome of this amendment is to: * **Enhance the Board's expertise and perspective:** By including a member with experience in the Council of States. * **Improve the Board's understanding of relevant policy and legislative matters.** * **Potentially lead to more informed and effective policy decisions regarding the coconut industry.** The impact of this change is likely to be primarily at the level of Board governance and decision-making. It is anticipated that the inclusion of a member from the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) will bring a valuable dimension to the Board's deliberations. **9. Conclusion:** The amendment to the Coconut Development Board policy, as outlined in notification S.O. 4900(E), focuses on adding Shri S. Selvaganabathy as a member representing the Council of States (Rajya Sabha). This change seeks to broaden the Board's representation and expertise. This amendment is a significant step towards strengthening the CDB and ensuring its relevance in the evolving agricultural landscape.

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