Section 4. Establishment of Authority and appointment of Chairperson and members

CHAPTER III THE COASTAL AQUACULTURE AUTHORITY 4. Establishment of Authority and appointment of Chairperson and members.— (1) With effect from such date as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint in this behalf, there shall be established for the purposes of this Act an Authority to be called the Coastal Aquaculture Authority. (2) The head office of the Authority shall be at such place as the Central Government may decide. (3) The Authority shall consist of the following members who shall be appointed by the Central Government, namely: — (a) the Chairperson who is, or has been, a Judge of a High Court; (b) one member who is an expert in the field of coastal aquaculture; (c) one member who is an expert in the field of coastal ecology nominated by the[1] [Ministry of Earth Sciences] of the Central Government; (d) one member who is an expert in the field of environment protection or pollution control nominated by the[2] [Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change] of the Central Government; (e) one member to represent the[3] [Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare] of the Central Government; (f) one member to represent the[4] [Ministry of Commerce and Industry] of the Central Government; 5[(fa) one member to represent the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying of the Central Government;] 6[(g) one member to represent each of the coastal States and Union territories; ] 7* * * *. 5[(3A) When the office of the Chairperson is vacant, the Central Government may, till the appointment of a new incumbent to the said office, nominate any member of the Authority to exercise such of the powers, and perform such of the functions, of the Chairperson as may be prescribed.] (4) The term of office of the Chairperson and every other member shall be three years. (5) The salaries and allowances payable to, and the other terms and conditions of service of, the members shall be such as may be prescribed. — 5. Disqualifications for appointment as member. A person shall be disqualified for being appointed as a member if he — (a) has been convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for an offence which, in the opinion of the Central Government, involves moral turpitude; or (b) is an undischarged insolvent; or (c) is of unsound mind and stands so declared by a competent court; or (d) has been removed or dismissed from the service of the Government or a Corporation owned or controlled by the Government; or 1. Subs. by Act 27 of 2023, s. 3, for "Department of Ocean Development" (w.e.f. 12-9-2023). 2. Subs. by s. 3, ibid ., for "Ministry of Environment and Forests" (w.e.f. 12-9-2023). 3. Subs. by s. 3, ibid ., for "Ministry of Agriculture" (w.e.f. 12-9-2023). 4. Subs. by s. 3, ibid ., for "Ministry of Commerce" (w.e.f. 12-9-2023). 5. Ins. by s. 3, ibid . (w.e.f. 12-9-2023). 6. Subs. by s. 3, ibid ., for clause (g) (w.e.f. 12-9-2023). 7. Clause (h) omitted by s. 3, ibid , (w.e.f. 12-9-2023). (e) has, in the opinion of the Central Government, such financial or other interest in the Authority as is likely to affect prejudicially the discharge by him of his functions as a member.