Maharashtra government has not responded to CAMPA bill: Parliament panel

NAGPUR: The Maharashtra Government has not responded so far to the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority bill (CAMPA) which was sent to all the state governments by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on science, technology, environment and forests.

Despite reminders from the secretariat, the Maharashtra government has failed to respond (to CAMPA bill), the Committee chairman, Bhupinder Singh told reporters here.

The bill relates to generation of national fund which will be invested back in the respective states for development of forests and wildlife in the states.

The parliamentary panel consisting of seven members was on a tour of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh to seek opinion of stake holders, non-government organisations (NGO) and state government officials on the Bill. Their tour ended today.

It has already visited Kerala, Himchal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu.

Singh, a BJD MP in Rajya Sabha (RS), said there was a need for all the NGOs and stake holders to co-operate for CAMPA bill.

"There is also a need for single window clearance for all forest and environment issues and paying compensation to the affected people from the forests," he added.

Nana Patole, BJP MP ( Lok Sabha), Nagendra Pradhan, BJD (RS), Arvind Singh SP (RS), M Pandian DMK (RS) and C P Narayan Kerala are the other members of the committee.