Statutes of the Regional Centre for Biotechnology, 2017

EXTRAORDINARY PART III—Section 4 PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (Department of Biotechnology) NOTIFICATION New Delhi, the 15th September, 2017 No. RCB/STA/2017/01.—In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (h) of section 15 along with section 41 of the Regional Centre for Biotechnology Act, 2016 (36 of 2016), the Central Government on behalf of the Board of Governors, Regional Centre for Biotechnology hereby notifies the Statutes of the Regional Centre for Biotechnology, inter alia to regulate the powers and functions of the various authorities of the said Regional Centre, its academic activities and the service conditions of its employees. “REGIONAL CENTRE FOR BIOTECHNOLOGY (PROGAMME ADVISORY COMMITTEE) STATUTES New Delhi, the 15th September, 2017 No. RCB/STA/2017/01.—In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (h) of section 15 read with section 41 of the Regional Centre for Biotechnology Act, 2016 (36 of 2016), the Board of Governors responsible for the Regional Centre for Biotechnology, an Institution of National Importance at the National Capital Region, Faridabad, Haryana functioning under the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, frames the following Statutes, inter alia, to regulate the powers and functions of the various authorities of the said Regional Centre, its academic activities and the service conditions of its employees, namely:- 1. Short title and commencement.— (1) These Statutes may be called the Statutes of the Regional Centre for Biotechnology, 2017. (2) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette. 2. Definitions.—(1) In these Statutes, unless the context otherwise requires, - (a) “Act” means the Regional Centre for Biotechnology Act, 2016 (36 of 2016); (b) “Controlling Authority” means the Executive Director appointed Section 23 of the Act; (c) “Recognised Centre” means a centre or an institute of higher learning recognised by the Regional Centre for meeting its objectives under clause (f) of the sub-section (1) of Section 10; (d) “Schedule” means Schedule annexed to these Statutes; (e) “Statute” means a Statute of these Statutes. (2) The words or expressions used herein and not defined but defined in the Act, shall have the meanings respectively assigned to them in the Act. 3. Body corporate of the Regional Centre. – The body corporate of the Regional Centre for Biotechnology shall be as specified in the First Schedule. 4. Powers and functions of authorities. – The powers and functions of various authorities of the Regional Centre shall be as specified in the Second Schedule. 5. Academic activities. – The academic activities of the Regional Centre shall be conducted as specified in the Third Schedule. 6. Service conditions. – The conditions of the service of the officers and employees of the Regional Centre shall be as specified in the Fourth Schedule. FIRST SCHEDULE (See statute 3) BODY CORPORATE OF THE REGIONAL CENTRE (REGIONAL CENTRE FOR BIOTECHNOLOGY STATUTES) Article No. Heading of Article Description of Article 1. Body corporate The Regional Centre shall, under sub-section (1) of section 3 of the Act, be a body corporate by the name of the “Regional Centre for Biotechnology” having perpetual succession and a common seal with power, subject to the provisions of the Act, to contract and shall by the said name, sue or be sued and it shall consist of a Board of Governors and the following authorities, namely:— (i) the Board of Governors; (ii) the Programme Advisory Committee; (iii) the Executive Committee; (iv) the Finance Committee; (v) the Board of Studies; and (vi) such other authorities as may be declared under these Statutes to be the authorities of the Regional Centre. 2. Headquarters The headquarters of the Regional Centre shall be at its campus in the National Capital Region Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad as also specified by the Central Government, vide notification number S.O. 642 (E), dated the 28 th February 2017. 3. Jurisdiction As specified in section 6 of the Act, the jurisdiction of the Regional Centre shall extend to the whole of India and to such centers and specialised laboratories or other units for research, development and instruction, established by the Regional Centre within or outside India. SECOND SCHEDULE (See statute 4) AUTHORITIES OF THE REGIONAL CENTRE FOR BIOTECHNOLOGY POWERS AND FUNCTIONS Article No. Heading of Article Description of Article 1. Terms of the Board of Governors There shall be a Board of Governors as specified in section 14 of the Act, and the two members of the Board as referred to in clause (d) of sub-section (2) of the said section 14 shall be the representatives, each from such member States of UNESCO referred to in the said clause (d) as may be determined by the Chairperson of the Board after the approval of the Central Government, and the terms of office of the members of the Board and the manner of the meeting of the Board shall be as specified below, namely:— (a) the term of the office of the members, other than ex-officio members, including Chairperson, shall be five years from the date on which they respectively enter upon their office; (b) the members specified in clause (b) of the sub-section (2) of section 14 of the Act shall be nominated by the Central Article No. Heading of Article Description of Article Government; (c) the terms of office of the ex-officio members including Chairperson shall be co-extensive with the terms of their respective office; (d) an outgoing member of the Board shall continue in office until another person is nominated or appointed as member; (e) an outgoing member of the Board shall be eligible for re- nomination or re-appointed if the Chairperson of the Board is convinced that the contribution of such a member to the objectives of the Regional Centre is highly valuable, commendable and meritorious; (f) the member of the Board other than ex-officio members may resign by writing to the Chairperson of the Board but he shall continue in his office until his resignation is accepted by the Board; (g) the Board shall meet at least once in a year at the time and place as may be determined by the Chairperson thereof; and (h) three members shall form a quorum for a meeting of the Board. 2. Powers and functions of the Board of Governors The Board shall have the powers and functions as specified in section 15 of the Act and in addition to such powers, for the governance of the powers of the Regional Centre, the Board shall— (a) confer degrees and diplomas on students having completed academic requirements as specified for the purpose by the Ordinances made under the Act; (b) confer honorary degrees or other academic distinction on individuals who have excelled themselves in any field of knowledge or creativity; (c) recognise an institution of higher learning in India or abroad for furthering the objectives of the Regional Centre and to withdraw such recognition in accordance with the norms and procedure to be specified in the Ordinances; (d) establish and maintain in India or overseas centers and specialised laboratories or other units for achieving the academic and research objectives of the Regional Centre; (e) institute and award fellowships, scholarships, studentships, medals and prizes to recognise the outstanding contributions of the students and faculty of the Regional Centre; (f) appoint visiting Professors, Professors of Eminence, Honorary Professors, Adjunct Professors, Emeritus Professors, Emeritus Scientists, and such other persons who may contribute to the advancement of the objectives of the Regional Centre; (g) approve the audit report of the accounts presented by the statutory auditors; (h) operate accounts in the Scheduled or Nationalised Banks to manage the funds of the Regional Centre; (i) provide, approve or change the functional titles to the various approved posts as per the need of the Regional Centre from time to time and regulate the service of the employees of the Regional Centre as provided in the Fourth Schedule; and Article No. Heading of Article Description of Article (j) act in a manner as may be necessary to achieve the goals and objectives of the Regional Centre in accordance with the provisions of the Act. 3. Powers and functions of the Chairperson of the Board The Chairperson of the Board– (a) shall preside over meetings of the Board; (b) shall preside over the convocation of the Regional Centre; (c) shall sign the degrees and diplomas awarded by the Regional Centre; (d) may in case of urgency, exercise the powers of the Board and inform the Board the action taken in exercise of such powers for approval in the next meeting of the Board; and (e) may exercise any other power of the Board, subject to the provisions of the Act, and, entrusted to him by the Board. 4. Terms of the Programme Advisory Committee Subject to the provisions of section 17 of the Act, the Programme Advisory Committee shall be the principal academic (which includes scientific and research) advisory body of the Regional Centre and shall consist of such members as specified in sub-section (2) of the said section 17 and the term of the members shall be for a period of five years from the date on which he enters upon his office: Provided that – (a) its Chairperson shall be a person of eminence in the area of biotechnology and of international repute relevant to the core areas of the Regional Centre; (b) the Board shall appoint the nominated members of the Programme Advisory Committee under clause (e) of sub-section (2) of section 17 of the Act; (c) where a member of the Programme Advisory Committee becomes a member by reason of the office or appointment he holds, such membership shall terminate when he ceases to hold that office or appointment; (d) all other members of Programme Advisory Committee shall relinquish their membership on the expiry of five years from the date on which they become such member, but shall be eligible for re-appointment; (e) if a casual vacancy arises during the five years’ period of a member of the Programme Advisory Committee, the person nominated or selected in the said vacancy shall hold office only for the unexpired duration of that five years’ period; (f) a member of Programme Advisory Committee shall cease to be a member on the happening of any of the following events, namely:— (i) if he does not attend three consecutive meetings of the Programme Advisory Committee without prior information and proper reason or justification; (ii) if he resigns, dies, becomes of unsound mind, becomes insolvent or be convicted of a criminal offence involving moral turpitude; (g) a resignation from the membership of the Programme Advisory Committee shall be tendered to the Chairperson of the Article No. Heading of Article Description of Article Programme Advisory Committee and shall not take effect until it has been accepted by the Chairperson of the Board; (h) Programme Advisory Committee shall meet once a year and five members of Programme Advisory Committee shall form the quorum; (i) the members shall be paid sitting fee or honorarium as decided by the Board from time to time, and shall be reimbursed travel and other logistics expenses for attending the meetings of the Programme Advisory Committee. 5. Powers and functions of the Programme Advisory Committee In addition to the responsibilities specified in sub-section (4) of section 17 of the Act, the Programme Advisory Committee shall have the following functions, namely: - (a) to evaluate the progress being made by the Regional Centre in fulfilling its objectives and submit a report thereof to the Board; (b) to make recommendations to the Board with regard to the creation, classification and abolition of the academic, scientific and technical posts in the Regional Centre as also their duties and emoluments; (c) to advise the Board on fostering linkages with other academic institutions in India and abroad; and (d) to consider and report on any matter concerning scientific and technical issues referred to it by the Board or by the Executive Director. 6. Conditions on Ordinances and Regulations Notwithstanding anything contained in the Ordinances made by the Programme Advisory Committee under section 42 of the Act and the regulations made by the authorities of the Regional Centre under section 43 of the Act, no waiver or relaxation shall be given – (i) in the case of such Ordinances by the Programme Advisory Committee; or (ii) in the case of such regulations by the authorities of the Regional Centre, without prior approval of the Board. 7. Executive Committee There shall be an Executive Committee for the purposes specified in sub-section (1) of section 18 of the Act and,- (a) the Executive Committee shall have the following members, namely:- (i) Executive Director as ex-officio Chairperson; (ii) Deans of the Regional Centre; (iii) Additional Secretary or Joint Secretary (Administration) of the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India; (iv) Nodal Officer from the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India dealing with the Regional Centre; (v) Joint Secretary, Ministry of Human Resource Development (in-charge of the UNES Division), Government of India, or his nominee (not below the rank of a Director); (vi) Joint Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs (in-charge of the UNES Division), Government of India, or his nominee (not below the rank of a Director); (vii) Director, UNESCO New Delhi Regional Office; and Article No. Heading of Article Description of Article (viii) Controller of Administration of the Regional Centre, (b) the Registrar and Finance Officer of the Regional Centre shall be the permanent invitees to the Executive Committee; (c) the Executive Committee shall normally meet twice in a year; (d) the presence of five members shall form the quorum for the meeting of the Executive Committee. 8. Powers and functions of the Executive Committee (1) The Executive Committee shall be responsible for the management of the Regional Centre and implementation of policies and decisions of the Board. (2) The Executive Committee shall have the following powers and functions, namely:- (a) to guide and advise the Executive Director on internal procedures regarding day-to-day administrative functioning of the Regional Centre; (b) to guide and advise the Executive Director regarding the manpower requirement of the Regional Centre and the recruitment and service rules; (c) to make recommendations to the Board with regard to the creation, classification and abolition of posts in the Regional Centre as also their duties and emoluments; (d) to constitute a Building and Works Committee to undertake any construction or alteration or maintenance works on the estates of the Regional Centre costing more than one crore rupees; (e) to advise the Executive Director on processes for the procurement, maintenance and utilisation of all movable and immovable assets of the Regional Centre; (f) to write off irrecoverable monetary losses and obsolete and irreparable store items within the limits specified by the Board; (g) to monitor financial, commercial, and legal compliance at the Regional Centre; and (h) to deal with any other matters that may be referred to the Executive Committee by the Chairperson of the Board or Executive Director of the Regional Centre. 9. Board of Studies (1) The Board of Studies shall be the supervisory body for the academic affairs of the Regional Centre. (2) The Board of Studies shall consist of the following members, namely:- (i) Executive Director, Chairperson (Ex-Officio); (ii) Deans and Sub-Deans of Regional Centre (Ex-Officio); (iii) three faculty members from the Regional Centre by rotation; (iv) three subject experts from a recognised research and teaching Institute or University or Biotech Industry; (v) three Academic Coordinators from Recognised Centres of the Regional Centre; and Article No. Heading of Article Description of Article (vi) Registrar of the Regional Centre (Member-Secretary). (3) The Executive Director shall nominate the faculty members of the Regional Centre in different fields. (4) The Executive Director shall nominate the subject experts in different fields. (5) Each Head of the Recognised Centre shall recommend the name of an Academic Coordinator for their centre and the Executive Director shall nominate three such Academic Coordinators by rotation to be the members of the Board of Studies. (6) The nominated members referred to in paragraphs (3), (4), and (5) shall have a term of three years. (7) The Board of Studies shall ordinarily meet at least twice a year and on such occasions, as may be directed by the Executive Director. (8) Notice for a meeting of the Board of Studies, other than a special meeting, shall ordinarily be issued at least seven days before the day fixed for the meeting. (9) The quorum for the meetings of the Board of Studies shall be thirty per cent. of the members of the Board of Studies, which shall include at least one outside expert and if the quorum is not reached, the meeting shall be adjourned for ten minutes and the present members shall reassemble for the meeting to proceed. (10) Special meetings may be called by the Chairperson of the Board of Studies at his own initiative or on a written request by at least thirty per cent. of the members of the Board of Studies and if the quorum is not met the requisitioned meeting shall stand cancelled. (11) In case of special meetings called at the request of the members, no item other than those notified in the agenda shall be discussed and that the presence of all such members, at whose request the special meeting was called, shall be essential. (12) If in the opinion of the Executive Director, it is not necessary or expedient to convene a meeting of the Board of Studies to consider any item and if he considers that a matter could be disposed of by circulation among the members of Board of Studies, he may issue necessary instructions to that effect. 10. Powers and functions of the Board of Studies The Board of Studies shall oversee the academic programme of the Regional Centre and shall have the following powers and functions, namely:- (a) to design and develop programs of study relevant to the areas of biotechnology as also listed in the aims and objects of the Regional Centre under clauses (a), (b), and (c) of sub-section (1) of section 10 of the Act; (b) to approve the subjects of study for various degrees, diplomas, certificates and other requirements for the fulfillment of obtaining such degrees and certificates; (c) to recommend to the authorities of the Regional Centre in the Article No. Heading of Article Description of Article manner specified by the academic Ordinances for - (i) the courses of instructions, lectures, submission and evaluation of thesis work and appointment of supervisors for research; and (ii) taking measures for the improvement of the quality and standards of teaching, training and research; (d) to ensure that the curricula and syllabi of various courses offered by the respective faculty of the Regional Centre are periodically reviewed, revised and updated continuously; (e) to recommend to the Board the recognition of the Recognised Centres of the Regional Centre; (f) to recognise the teaching faculty or scientists of the Recognised Centres of the Regional Centre as the faculty of the Regional Centre for the academic purpose; (g) to approve and make such regulations consistent with these Statutes and Ordinances regarding the academic functions of the Regional Centre, including student discipline, residence, awards of fellowships, studentship, scholarships, medals, prizes, fees and concessions, and attendance; (h) to monitor academic compliance at the Regional Centre; and (i) to perform such other functions as may be assigned to it by the authorities of the Regional Centre. 11. Composition of Finance Committee The composition of the Finance Committee referred to in section 19 of the Act, nomination of its external expert members and the manner of its meeting shall be the following, namely:- (a) the Finance Committee shall consist of (i) Executive Director, Chairperson (Ex-officio); (ii) Financial Advisor, Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, or his nominee, Member (Ex- officio); (iii) Nodal Officer from the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, dealing with the Regional Centre, Member (Ex-officio); (iv) Executive Director, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, Member (Ex-officio); (v) two external experts in finance and accounting, Members; (vi) Controller of Administration in the Regional Centre, Member (Ex-officio); and (vii) the Finance Officer, Member-Secretary (Ex-officio); (b) the external experts referred to in the sub-clause (v) of clause (a) shall be nominated by the Executive Director and shall hold office for a term of three years; (c) the Finance Committee shall meet normally twice a year to review the accounts and financial management of the Regional Centre; and (d) four members of the Finance Committee present in-person shall form the quorum. Article No. Heading of Article Description of Article 12. Powers and Functions of the Finance Committee The Finance Committee referred to in section 19 of the Act, shall apart from its functions specified in sub-section (1) of that section, be responsible to oversee the financial management of the Regional Centre and its further powers and functions shall be such as may be determined by the Board from time to time, which shall include the following, namely:- (a) to review operational processes and internal control guidelines in all areas impacting the finances of the Regional Centre; (b) to consider the annual budget estimates and the revised estimates of the Regional Centre and to make recommendations to the Executive Committee and the Board relating thereto; (c) to review the finances of the Regional Centre from time to time and to make recommendations to the Executive Committee and the Board relating thereto; (d) to consider all proposals for new heads of expenditure of the Regional Centre including building and works, and to provide recommendations to the Executive Committee and the Board relating thereto; (e) to recommend new sources of funds and to oversee investments of the existing funds to augment the internal resources of the Regional Centre; (f) to advise the Executive Committee on processes for writing off irrecoverable monetary losses and obsolete and irreparable store items; (g) to consider the re-appropriation statement and to make recommendations to the Executive Committee and the Board relating thereto; (h) to review the annual statements of accounts, asset register, and the audit report thereon, and to make recommendations to the Executive Committee and the Board relating thereto; (i) to tender advice and to make recommendations to the Executive Committee and the Board on any other financial matter affecting the functions and activities of the Regional Centre, either on its own initiative or on the initiative of the Executive Director, or of the Executive Committee, or the Board; (j) to recommend to the Board on the delegation of necessary financial powers; and (k) to recommend appointment of auditors for audit of the Annual Accounts of the Regional Centre. 13. Chief Functionary of the Regional Centre The Executive Director shall be the Chief Executive Officer to provide the scientific and academic leadership to the Regional Centre, oversee administration and finance of the Regional Centre to direct its business, and to act on behalf of the Board to administer any other matters related to the Regional Centre. 14. Appointment of the Executive Director The Executive Director shall be appointed by the Board with the approval of the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet of the Central Government in the following manner, namely: - (a) the Board shall invite applications or nominations through an open advertisement in the leading news dailies, accredited Article No. Heading of Article Description of Article science journals and websites of the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, the Regional Centre, and such other places as it deems appropriate; (b) the norms, criteria and regulations for the position shall be finalised by the Board with the concurrence of the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India; (c) a Search-cum-Selection Committee constituted by the Central Government shall identify and recommend to the Board, a person of eminence in the broad area of biotechnology and related fields with demonstrated science management experience and high leadership qualities to function as the Executive Director of the Regional Centre for appointment; (d) the Executive Director so appointed shall also hold the substantive position of a Professor at the Regional Centre and may continue in this position till the age of superannuation admissible for the faculty following the expiry of his term as the Executive Director; (e) the Executive Director shall hold the office for a term of five years from the date on which he enters upon the office, or until he attains the age of seventy years, whichever is earlier, and he shall be eligible for re-appointment on completion of the tenure: Provided that notwithstanding the expiry of the said period of five years, he shall continue in office until his successor is appointed and enters upon his office; (f) notwithstanding anything contained in clause (e), the Board may at any time after the Executive Director has entered upon his office, by order in writing, remove him from the office on grounds of incapacity, misconduct or violation of statutory provisions: Provided that - (i) no such order shall be made by the Board unless the Executive Director has been given a reasonable opportunity of showing cause against the action proposed to be taken against him; (ii) the Board shall have the concurrence of the Central Government before making such an order; (iii) the Board may also, at any time before making such order, place the Executive Director under suspension, pending enquiry or otherwise. (g) the Executive Director shall be paid travelling expenses for joining the Centre as admissible to an officer of the Central Government of equivalent rank under the extant rules relating to transfer travelling allowance of the Central Government deeming the appointment of appointee as on transfer in the public interest; (h) without prejudice to article 13, the Executive Director shall be a whole-time salaried officer of the Regional Centre and the salary of the Executive Director shall be equivalent to that of the Director of an ‘Institution of National Importance’ as notified by the Central Government from time to time and the Article No. Heading of Article Description of Article Executive Director shall be paid allowances as are applicable to other faculty members of the Regional Centre at the rates fixed by the Central Government from time to time. He shall also be entitled to free official car, and rent-free, furnished residence throughout his term of office and no charge shall fall upon the Executive Director in respect of the use of the car and maintenance of the residence. He shall also be entitled for other perks available to the Vice-chancellor of a Central University; (i) the Executive Director shall be entitled to such terminal benefits and allowances as may be fixed by the Central Government from time to time: Provided that where an employee of the Regional Centre, or of any other institution or a University is appointed as the Executive Director, he may be allowed to continue to contribute to any provident fund of which he is a member and the Regional Centre shall contribute to the account of such person in that provident fund at the same rate at which he had been contributing immediately before his appointment as the Executive Director: Provided further that where such employee had been a member of any pension scheme, the Regional Centre shall make the necessary contribution to such scheme; (j) the Executive Director shall be entitled to leave of various kinds including leave travel concession as per the extant rules of the Central Government in this respect applicable to its officers of equivalent status; (k) if the office of the Executive Director becomes vacant due to death, resignation or otherwise, or if he is unable to perform his duties due to ill-health or any other cause, the senior most Dean of the Regional Centre shall perform the duties of the Executive Director: Provided that if the Deans are not available, the senior most Professor of the Regional Centre shall perform the duties of the Executive Director until a new Executive Director assumes his office or the existing Executive Director resumes the duties of his office, as the case may be. 15. Powers and functions of the Executive Director Without prejudice to the powers and functions conferred by sub- section (2) of section 23 of the Act, the powers and duties of the Executive Director shall be the following, namely:- (a) the Executive Director shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Regional Centre to direct its business and act on behalf of the Board; (b) the Executive Director shall be the principal scientific and academic authority of the Regional Centre to oversee its research and academic programs; (c) it shall be the duty of the Executive Director to see that the provisions of the Statutes, Ordinances and regulations of the Regional Centre made under the Act are duly observed and he shall have all the powers necessary to ensure such observance; (d) the Executive Director shall be the ex-officio Chairperson of the Executive Committee, the Board of Studies constituted under Article No. Heading of Article Description of Article section 21 of the Act, and the Finance Committee constituted under sub-section (2) of the section 19 of Act; (e) the Executive Director shall be the Convener of the Board and in the absence of the Chairperson of the Board, he shall preside over the convocations held for conferring degrees; (f) the Executive Director shall be entitled to be present at and address, any meeting of any authority or other body of the Regional Centre, but shall not be entitled to vote there, unless he is a member of such authority or body; (g) the Executive Director shall have power to sanction the expenditure of the funds of the Regional Centre as per the allocated budget and make re-appropriation of funds across the sanctioned heads within the overall budget as per the needs of the Regional Centre; (h) the Executive Director shall, subject to the provisions of the Act and these Statutes, have the powers to make appointments and act as the disciplinary authority to the various academic, scientific, technical, professional, and administrative positions following the due process as provided in the Fourth Schedule; (i) the Executive Director shall have the powers to convene or cause to be convened the meetings of the Executive Committee, Programme Advisory Committee, the Board of Studies and the Finance Committee constituted under sub-section (2) of section 19 of the Act; (j) the Executive Director shall delegate his powers, for proper functioning of the Regional Centre to the officers other than him specified in section 22 of the Act, as per limitations or conditions as may be imposed by him; and (k) the Executive Director shall exercise any other powers of the Board delegated by it to him by resolution for proper functioning of the Regional Centre. 16. Deans and Sub-Deans (1) The Deans and Sub-Deans referred to respectively in clause (ii) and (iii) of section 22 of the Act shall be appointed by the Board in accordance with clause (a) of sub-section (1) of section 35 of the Act. (2) The functional title of the Sub-Dean appointed under paragraph (1) shall be Associate Dean. (3) The term of office of such Dean or Associate Dean shall be for five years: Provided that - (i) the Dean or Associate Dean whose term of office has expired shall be eligible for re-appointment; (ii) the Dean or Associate Dean so appointed shall also hold the substantive position of a Professor at the Regional Centre and may continue in this position till the age of superannuation admissible for the faculty following the expiry of his term as the Dean or Associate Dean; (iii) the terms and conditions of service of the Dean and Associate Dean shall be such as are specified in the Fourth Schedule. Article No. Heading of Article Description of Article 17. Powers and Duties of Deans and Associate Deans The Dean and Associate Dean referred to in the article 16 shall assist the Executive Director in such matters as may be determined by the Executive Director in this behalf from time to time, and shall also exercise such powers and perform such duties as may be assigned to him by the Executive Director. 18. Associate Director (Administration) (1) The Associate Director (Administration) shall be appointed by the Executive Director on the recommendation of a Selection Committee constituted for the purpose and shall be a whole-time salaried officer of the Regional Centre. (2) The functional title provided to this position shall be the Controller of Administration. (3) The terms and conditions of service of the Controller of Administration shall be such as are specified in the Fourth Schedule: Provided that the Controller of Administration shall retire on attaining the age of superannuation as admissible for the non- academic staff of the Regional Centre. (4) When the office of the Controller of Administration is vacant or when he, by reason of illness, absence or any other cause, is unable to perform the duties of his office, the same shall be performed by such person as the Executive Director may appoint for the purpose. 19. Duties of Controller of Administration It shall be the duty of the Controller of Administration in the Regional Centre to— (a) assist the Executive Director in all administrative matters relating to the Regional Centre; (b) act as the ex-officio Secretary of the Executive Committee and issue notices to convene meetings of the Executive Committee, and to keep the official correspondence and minutes of all the statutory committee meetings of the Regional Centre; (c) oversee the overall administrative activities including establishment, finance, stores and purchase, engineering, estates and maintenance of the Regional Centre; (d) report to the Executive Director in the matters related to monitoring and evaluation of the administration of the Regional Centre for continuous improvement; (e) maintain the primary relationship for operations and maintenance of services within the National Capital Region Biotech Science Cluster partners and the funding agencies; (f) be the custodian of records, the common seal and such other property of Regional Centre as the Executive Committee shall commit to his charge; (g) represent the Regional Centre in suits or proceedings by or against the Regional Centre, sign powers of attorney and verify pleadings