act 011 of 2025 : The "Tribhuvan" Sahkari University Act, 2025

CHAPTER I

PRELIMINARY

CHAPTER II

“TRIBHUVAN” SAHKARI UNIVERSITY

CHAPTER III

OFFICERS OF UNIVERSITY AND INSTITUTE OF RURAL MANAGEMENT ANAND SCHOOL

CHAPTER IV

AUTHORITIES OF UNIVERSITY AND INSTITUTE OF RURAL MANAGEMENT ANAND SCHOOL

CHAPTER V

STATUTES, ORDINANCES AND REGULATIONS

CHAPTER VI

ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT

CHAPTER VII

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 1.Short title and commencement.

(1) This Act may be called the "Tribhuvan" Sahkari University Act, 2025.

(2) It shall come into force on such date¹ as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint:

Provided that different dates may be appointed for different provisions of this Act and any reference in any such provision to the commencement of this Act shall be construed as a reference to the coming into force of that provision.

1. 5th day of April, 2025, vide notification No. S.O. 1619 (E), dated 4th day of April, 2025, see Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, sec. 3 (ii).

Section 2.Declaration of "Tribhuvan Sahkari" University as institution of national importance.

Whereas the objects of the "Tribhuvan" Sahkari University are such as to make it an institution of national importance, it is hereby declared that the "Tribhuvan" Sahkari University is an institution of national *importance.

* CORRIGENDUM dated 3rd April, 2025.

Section 3.Definitions.

(1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,---

(a) "Academic and Research Council" means the Academic and Research Council of the University;

(b) "academic staff" means such categories of staff designated as academic staff by the Ordinances;

(d)"Assessment and Improvement Council" means the Assessment and Improvement Council of the University;

(e) "Board for Affiliation and Recognition" means the Board for Affiliation and Recognition of the University;

(f) "Board of Co-operative Studies" means the Board of Co-operative Studies of a School of the University;

(g) "Capacity Building Council" means the Capacity Building Council of the University;

(h) "Chancellor" means the Chancellor of the University;

(i) "co-operative principles" means the co-operative principles provided in the First Schedule of the Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act, 2002 (39 of 2002);

(j) "co-operative societies" means all co-operative societies registered under Co-operative Societies Acts of the respective States, Union territories with Legislature and without Legislature and the Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act, 2002 (39 of 2002);

(k) "Dean" means the Head of a School or Head of an administrative Department of the University;

(l) "Director" means the Director of the Institute of Rural Management Anand School;

(m) "employee" means any person appointed by the University and includes the teachers and other staff of the University;

(n) "Executive Board" means the Executive Board of the Institute of Rural Management Anand School;

(o) "Executive Council" means the Executive Council of the University;

(p) "Finance Committee" means the Finance Committee of the University;

(q) "Fund" means the University Fund referred to in section 40;

(r) "Governing Board" means the Governing Board of the University;

(s) "hostel" means a unit of residence for the students of the University or School, as the case may be;

(t) "Institute" means an academic institution including a college admitted to or affiliated to the privileges of the University and the expression "Institution" shall be construed accordingly;

(u) "Institute of Rural Management Anand" means the Institute of Rural Management Anand established and incorporated under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 and located in Anand, Gujarat;

(v) "Institute of Rural Management Anand School" means one of the Schools of the University;

(w) "notification" means a notification published in the Official Gazette and the expression "notified" with its cognate meanings and grammatical variations shall be construed accordingly;

(x) "outlying campus" means the campus of the University as may be established by it at any place in or outside India;

(y) "Registrar" means the Registrar of the University;

(z) "Research and Development Council" means the Research and Development Council of the University;

(za) "Schedule" means the Schedules appended to this Act;

(zb) "School" means a School established by the University in each sector where degree, diploma and certificate are awarded by the University;

(zc) "Statutes", "Ordinances" and "Regulations" mean respectively, the Statutes, the Ordinances and the Regulations of the University made under this Act;

(zd) "Teachers of the University" means the Professors, Associate Professors, Assistant Professors and such other persons as may be appointed for imparting instructions, training or conducting research in the University or in any outlying campus maintained by the University;

(ze) "Tribhuvan" Sahkari University' means the "Tribhuvan" Sahkari University established and incorporated as a University under this Act;

(zf) "University" means the "Tribhuvan" Sahkari University established and incorporated as a University under this Act;

(zg) "Vice-Chancellor" means the Vice-Chancellor of the University.

(2) The words and expressions used herein and not defined, but defined in the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002 (39 of 2002) shall have the respectively meanings assigned to them in that Act.

Section 4.Establishment and incorporation of "Tribhuvan" Sahkari University.

(1) With effect from such date as the Central Government may, by notification, appoint, the Institute of Rural Management Anand shall be established as a University to be known as the "Tribhuvan" Sahkari University, which shall be a body corporate, having perpetual succession and a common seal, with power, subject to the provisions of this Act, to acquire, hold property, both movable and immovable, and to contract and shall, by the said name sue or be sued.

(2) The headquarters of the University shall be at Anand in the State of Gujarat and the University may establish Schools or outlying campuses or affiliate institutes at such other places in India as it may deem fit:

Provided that the University may, with the prior approval of the Central Government, also establish or maintain outlying campuses or affiliate institutes outside India.

(3) The Chancellor, the Vice-Chancellor, the members of the Governing Board, the Executive Council, the Academic and Research Council, the Capacity Building Council, the Assessment and Improvement Council, the Research and Development Council and other authorities shall constitute the University.

Section 5.Effect of establishment of University.

(1) On and from the date of commencement of this Act,---

(a) the Institute of Rural Management Anand registered as a society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 (21 of 1860) stands dissolved;

(b) any reference to the Institute of Rural Management Anand in any contract or other instrument shall be deemed as a reference to the University;

(c) all property or assets, movable and immovable, of or belonging to the Institute of Rural Management Anand shall vest in the University;

(d) all rights and liabilities of the Institute of Rural Management An and shall be transferred to, and be the rights and liabilities of the University;

(e) the identity and autonomy of the Institute of Rural Management An and School and its rights and privileges shall be continued:

Provided that the Institute of Rural Management Anand School so declared under this Act shall have an Executive Board which shall be responsible for ensuring identity and autonomy of the School as granted under this section:

Provided further that the Institute of Rural Management Anand School shall have a Director who shall be responsible to implement the decisions of the Executive Board besides other regular responsibilities of the University.

(2) The Institute of Rural Management Anand School shall be declared as the "Centre of Excellence" for Rural Management.

Explanation.---For the purposes of this sub-section, the expression "Centre of Excellence" means the Institute of Rural Management Anand School to have greater autonomy within the overall institutional framework of the University to achieve excellence in its domain and also responsible for developing and spreading best practices in imparting education, training and conducting research within the University.

(3) Subject to the provisions of this Act, every person employed in the Institute of Rural Management Anand immediately before the commencement of this Act shall hold such employment in the University by the same tenure and on the same terms and conditions and with the same rights and privileges as to pension and gratuity as he would have held under the Institute of Rural Management Anand, if this Act had not been enacted and such terms and conditions, rights and privileges shall not be varied to his disadvantage:

Provided that the University shall be at liberty to place the services of the persons permanently employed in the Institute of Rural Management Anand immediately before the commencement of this Act to any area, field, department and the like and at any place or location across India as deemed fit by the University to further its objects.

(4) The identity and autonomy of any ongoing academic programme and course of the Institute of Rural Management Anand School shall be preserved by the University and any modification, if needed, shall be with the concurrence of the Executive Board of such School.

(5) The Institute of Rural Management Anand School shall have administrative and academic autonomy as may be provided by the Statutes.

(6) The post-retirement benefits including medical benefits, if any, of every academic staff, teacher and every other employee in the Institute of Rural Management Anand who has superannuated before the commencement of this Act shall be borne by the University in a manner and form as deemed fit and not to the disadvantage of the superannuated employees.

(7) Any ongoing disciplinary proceedings against any permanent employees in the Institute of Rural Management Anand at the time of the commencement of this Act shall continue to be governed by the Institute of Rural Management Anand Society Rules, 2004.

(8) Any matter governing the conditions of service relating to the teacher, academic staff and every other employee for which no provision has been made in this Act, shall be determined by the provisions to be made by the Executive Council.

Section 6.Objects of University.

The objects of the University shall be---

(i) to provide qualified and trained manpower to meet the present and future needs of the cooperative sector by establishing its own Schools or through affiliating institutes;

(ii) to provide training, education and capacity building to the employees and board members of co-operative societies at all levels;

(iii) to act as an apex body to integrate, coordinate, and standardise the academic and research activities of affiliated co-operative institutes and training centres;

(iv) to standardise the course design and content, pedagogy, course delivery in co-operative education and training in accordance with the national and international best practices and the guiding principles specified in the First Schedule to this Act;

(v) to develop centres of excellence in co-operative education, training, research and consultancy;

(vi) to evolve as an institution of national and international repute for advanced studies in the field of co-operative education and training, and any other areas connected with co-operative societies;

(vii) to disseminate and advance knowledge by providing institutional and research facilities in the field of co-operative education and training, and to take appropriate measures for promoting innovations in teaching-learning process and inter-disciplinary studies and research;

(viii) to establish Schools and affiliate institutes for imparting the state-of-the-art education and training in the field of co-operation for all sectors;

(ix) to provide distance learning or mass e-learning platform and courses for serving the education and training needs of the co-operative societies;

(x) to undertake and promote research and development in all sectors relating to co-operatives;

(xi) to promote innovation, entrepreneurship and start-ups in the co-operative sector;

(xii) to establish and promote partnership and linkages with co-operative societies or unions or federations at all levels, industry, Institutions, Governments, International Co-operative Alliance and co-operative educational institutions in India and abroad for furtherance of its objects;

(xiii) to discharge any other objects which the University deems fit to undertake for the furtherance of its objects; and

(xiv) to discharge such other objects, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act and the Statutes made thereunder, which the Central Government may, by notification, specify in this behalf.

Section 7.Powers and functions of University.

(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act and the Statutes and Ordinances made thereunder, the University shall exercise and perform the following powers and functions, namely:---

(i) to plan, design, develop the required courses of study and conduct appropriate academic and training programmes in the field of co-operation;

(ii) to grant, subject to such conditions as the University may determine, diplomas or certificates to, and confer degrees or other academic distinctions on, persons, on the basis of examinations, evaluation or any other method of testing, and to withdraw any such certificates, diplomas, degrees or other academic distinctions for good and sufficient cause;

(iii) to provide lectures and instructions for persons not enrolled as regular students of the University and to grant certificates to them;

(iv) to establish and maintain such outlying campuses, entrepreneurial incubation centres for new co-operative ventures, targeted skill development centres or other units for research, instruction, and training as are, in the opinion of the University, necessary for the furtherance of its objects;

(v) to establish and maintain Schools and hostels subject to assessment of demand;

(vi) to provide nomenclature to the Institute of Rural Management Anand School by Statutes made under this Act;

(vii) to confer honorary degrees or other distinctions;

(viii) to institute Professorships, Associate Professorships, Assistant Professorships and other teaching or academic positions, required by the University and to appoint persons to such Professorships, Associate Professorships, Assistant Professorships or other teaching or academic positions;

(ix) to appoint persons working in any University or academic institution, including those located outside the country, as teachers of the University;

(x) to create administrative, ministerial and other posts and to make appointments thereto subject to availability of financial resources;

(xi) to co-operate or collaborate or associate with any other University or authority or institution of higher learning, including those located outside the country, in such manner and for such purposes as the University, may determine;

(xii) to provide facilities through the distance education system;

(xiii) to institute and award fellowships, scholarships, studentships, medals and prizes for raising academic standards and research;

(xiv) to organise and undertake extramural studies, training and extension services;

(xv) to make provision for research and advisory services and for that purpose, to enter into such arrangements with other institutions, co-operative societies, industrial or other organisations, as the University may deem necessary;

(xvi) to organise and conduct refresher courses, workshops, seminars, conferences, training of trainers, and other programmes for teachers, evaluators, other academic staff and students;

(xvii) to appoint on contract or otherwise visiting Professors, Emeritus Professors, Consultants and such other persons who may contribute to the advancement of the objects of the University;

(xviii) to determine standards of admission to the University, which may include examination, evaluation or any other method of testing;

(xix) to demand and receive payment of fees and other charges;

(xx) to demand and receive payment for undertaking projects and consultancy services;

(xxi) to lay down conditions of service of all categories of employees, including their code of conduct;

(xxii) to supervise, control, regulate and enforce discipline among the students and the employees, and to take such disciplinary measures in this regard as may be deemed fit by the University to be necessary;

(xxiii) to make arrangements for promoting the health and general welfare of the employees and students;

(xxiv) to receive benefactions, donations and gifts and to acquire, hold and manage movable or immovable, including trust and endowment properties, for the purposes of the University;

(xxv) to dispose of any immovable property, with the previous approval of the Central Government;

(xxvi) to borrow, with the previous approval of the Central Government, on the security of the property of the University, money for the purposes of the University;

(xxvii) to conduct innovative experiments and promote new methods and technologies in the fields of co-operative management and other related fields;

(xxviii) to purchase or to take on lease any land or building or works which may be necessary or convenient for the purposes of the University, on such terms and conditions as it may deem fit and proper and to construct, alter and maintain any such building or work;

(xxix) to start any new degree, allied course or research programme or diploma or certification or training programme and discontinue any courses or research programme or training programme without prejudice to the interest of the students;

(xxx) to invest the funds of the University in or upon such securities and transpose any investment from time to time in such manner as it may deem fit in the interest of the University and as provided by the Statutes;

(xxxi) to act as an advisory body to the Government of India and other National Institutions, State Governments and National Co-operative Societies on all matters related to co-operative societies;

(xxxii) to grant affiliation to Institutes or to a particular course or programme being conducted by any Institute in or outside India;

(xxxiii) to develop and certify teachers or practitioners as co-operative trainers and resource persons;

(xxxiv) to provide for the preparation of instructional and training materials, including films, audio-visual materials, other software and the like;

(xxxv) to recognise persons for imparting instructions in any Institute admitted or affiliated to the privileges of the University; and

(xxxvi) to do all such other acts and things as may be necessary, incidental or conducive to the attainment of all or any of its objects.

(2) The University shall in the exercise of its powers have jurisdiction over the outlying campuses.

(3) In exercising its powers referred to in sub-section (1), it shall be the endeavour of the University to maintain an all-India character and high standards of teaching, training and research, and the University may, among other measures which may be necessary for the said purpose, take, in particular, the following measures, namely:---

(i) admissions of students and recruitment of teachers shall be made on all-India basis through appropriate procedures approved by the Executive Council;

(ii) conduct self-financing, demand based, customised courses for the co-operatives;

(iii) foreign students to be admitted by the University to various courses and programmes, as per the policy and schemes of the Government of India and the procedure approved by the Executive Council;

(iv) inter-University mobility of teachers with portable pension scheme benefits, if any, and protection of seniority shall be encouraged.

Explanation.---For the purposes of this clause, the expression "portable pension scheme" means a scheme to continue or carry forward the pension scheme already subscribed by the incoming teacher;

(v) semester system, continuous evaluation and choice-based credit system may be introduced and the University may enter into agreement with other Universities and academic institutions for credit transfer and joint degree programmes.

Explanation.---For the purposes of this clause, the expression "choice-based credit system" means a criterion based grading system to assess student's achievement based on the learning goals for each programme, with continuous and comprehensive evaluation instead of high stake examinations;

(vi) innovative courses and programmes of studies shall be introduced with a provision for periodic review and restructuring;

(vii) active participation of students shall be ensured in all academic activities of the University, including evaluation of teachers;

(viii) accreditation may be obtained from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council or any other accrediting agency of repute as may be determined by the University; and

(ix) e-governance shall be introduced in every possible sphere of activity with an effective management information system.

Section 8.University to be open to all caste, creed, race or class.

The University shall be open to persons of any sex and of whatever caste, creed, race or class, and it shall not be lawful for the University to adopt or impose on any person, any test whatsoever of religious belief or profession in order to entitle such person to be appointed as a teacher of the University or to hold any other office therein or to be admitted as a student in the University or to graduate there at or to enjoy or exercise any privilege thereof:

Provided that the University shall follow the policy of the Central Government regarding reservations in admissions and employment.

Section 9.Power of Central Government to review and issue directions.

(1) The Central Government may, from time to time, appoint one or more persons to review or inspect the work and progress of the University and outlying campuses including its buildings, libraries, laboratories and equipments, and other infrastructure maintained by it and also of the examinations, teaching and other work conducted or done by the University, and to submit a report thereon and upon receipt of that report, the Central Government may, take such action and issue such directions, as it considers necessary, in respect of any of the matters dealt with in the report and the University shall abide by such action and be bound to comply with such directions.

(2) Without prejudice to the foregoing provisions of this section, the Central Government may, by an order in writing, annul any proceeding of the University which is not in conformity with the provisions of this Act or the Statutes or the Ordinances made thereunder.

(3) Without prejudice to the provisions of this Act and the Statutes made thereunder, the University, in discharge of its general powers and functions under this Act, shall be bound by such directions as the Central Government may give in writing to it from time to time.

(4) The Central Government shall have such other powers, in respect of the affairs of the University, as may be provided by the Statutes.

Section 10.Chancellor.

(1) The Central Government may, by notification, appoint a person of eminence as the Chancellor of the University.

(2) The Chancellor shall hold office for a term of five years or until he attains the age of seventy years, whichever is earlier: Provided that notwithstanding the expiry of his term of office, the Chancellor shall continue to hold office until his successor enters upon his office.

(3) The terms and other conditions of service of Chancellor shall be such as may be provided by the Statutes.

(4) The Chancellor shall, by virtue of his office, be the Head of the University and shall, if present, preside at the Convocations of the University held for conferring degrees and other ceremonial functions and also the meetings of the Governing Board.

(5) The Chancellor shall exercise such other powers and perform such other duties as may be assigned to him under this Act and the Statutes made thereunder.

Section 11.Officers of University and Institute of Rural Management Anand School.

The following shall be the officers of the University and the Institute of Rural Management Anand School, namely:---

(a) the Vice-Chancellor;

(b) the Director and ex officio Dean of the Institute of Rural Management Anand School;

(d) the Registrar;

(e) the Finance Officer;

(f) the Controller of Examinations;

(g) the Librarian; and

(h) such other officers as may be provided by the Ordinances to be the officers of the University and the Institute of Rural Management Anand School.

Section 12.Vice-Chancellor.

(1) The Vice-Chancellor shall be a person having such eligibility criteria and shall be appointed by the Central Government in such manner and subject to such terms and conditions of service as may be provided by the Statutes:

Provided that the first Vice-Chancellor shall be appointed by the Central Government in such manner and subject to such terms and conditions as may be determined by it and he shall hold office for a term of three years and may be eligible for re-appointment for another term of two years.

(2) The Vice-Chancellor shall be the principal executive and academic officer of the University and shall exercise general supervision and control over other officers of the University.

(3) The Vice-Chancellor may, if he is of the opinion that immediate action is necessary on any matter, exercise any power conferred on any authority, except the Governing Board of the University by or under this Act and shall inform such authority at its next meeting the action taken by him on such matter.

(4) Where the Vice-Chancellor is of the opinion that any decision taken by any officer or authority, other than Chancellor or the Governing Board of the University is beyond the powers of such officer or authority conferred under the provisions of this Act or the Statutes or the Ordinances made thereunder or that any decision taken by the officer or authority is not as per the objects of the University, he shall have powers to rescind such decisions and issue appropriate directions and all such matters shall be placed before the Governing Board for information.

(5) The Vice-Chancellor shall exercise such other powers and perform such other duties as may be provided by the Statutes.

Section 13.Registrar.

(1) The Registrar shall be appointed by the Central Government in such manner, and on such terms and conditions, as may be provided by the Statutes:

Provided that the first Registrar shall be appointed by the Central Government in such manner and on such terms and conditions as may be determined by it and the said officer shall hold office for a term of three years, and may be eligible for re-appointment for another term of two years.

(2) The Registrar shall have the power to enter into agreements, sign documents and authenticate records on behalf of the University, and shall exercise such other powers and perform such other duties, as may be provided by the Statutes.

Section 14.Finance Officer.

The Finance Officer shall be appointed by the Central Government in such manner, and on such terms and conditions and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties, as may be provided by the Statutes:

Provided that the first Finance Officer shall be appointed by the Central Government in such manner and on such terms and conditions as may be determined by it and the said officer shall hold office for a term of three years, and may be eligible for re-appointment for another term of two years.

Section 15.Director of Institute of Rural Management Anand School.

(1) There shall be a Director and ex officio Dean of the Institute of Rural Management Anand School who shall be the principal academic and administrative officer for that School, and shall exercise supervision and control over all employees of that School.

(2) The Director shall be appointed in such manner, and on such terms and conditions and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties, as may be provided by the Ordinances.

Section 16.Dean.

(1) Each School of the University shall be headed by a Dean who shall be the principal academic and administrative officer for that School, and shall exercise supervision and control over all employees of that School.

(2) The Dean shall be appointed by the Executive Council in such manner, and on such terms and conditions, and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties, as may be provided by the Ordinances.

Section 17.Controller of Examinations.

The Controller of Examinations shall be appointed in such manner, and on such terms and conditions, and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties, as may be provided by the Ordinances.

Section 18.Librarian.

The Librarian shall be appointed in such manner, and on such terms and conditions, and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties, as may be provided by the Ordinances.

Section 19.Other officers.

(1) In addition to the officers referred to in clauses (a) to (g) of section 11, the University shall consist of such other officers as may be provided by the Ordinances.

(2) The manner of appointment, terms and conditions of service and powers and duties of other officers of the University shall be such as may be provided by the Ordinances.

Section 20.Authorities of University and Institute of Rural Management Anand School.

The following shall be the authorities of the University and Institute of Rural Management Anand School, namely:---

(a) the Governing Board;

(b) the Executive Council;

(d) the Executive Board;

(e) the Capacity Building Council;

(f) the Assessment and Improvement Council;

(g) the Research and Development Council;

(h) the Board for Affiliation and Recognition;

(i) the Finance Committee;

(j) the Board of Co-operative Studies; and

(k) such other authorities as may be provided by the Ordinances to be the authorities of the University and Institute of Rural Management Anand School.

Section 21.Governing Board.

(1) The Chancellor shall be the Chairperson of the Governing Board.

(2) In addition to the Chairperson, the Governing Board shall consist of the following members who shall be nominated by the Central Government, namely:---

(a) Vice-Chancellor---Member, ex officio;

(b) Secretary, Ministry of Cooperation---Member, ex officio;

(c) Four Secretaries of Central Ministries or Departments dealing with important sectors of co-operative---Members, ex officio;

(d) Four Principal Secretaries or Secretaries of Co-operation Department of States or Union territories, by rotation---Members, ex officio;

(e) Managing Director, National Co-operative Development Corporation---Member, ex officio;

(f) Chairperson, National Dairy Development Board---Member, ex officio;

(g) Chief Executive, National Fisheries Development Board---Member, ex officio;

(h) Chairperson, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development---Member, ex officio;

(i) Four Chairpersons of National Co-operative Societies, by rotation--- Members, ex officio;

(j) Chairperson, Institute of Rural Management Anand School---Member, ex officio;

(k) Four Deans of Schools and Departments established by the University, by rotation--- Members, ex officio;

(l) Two Directors of Institutes affiliated to the University, by rotation---Members, ex officio;

(m) Four Professors who are members of the Academic and Research Council, Capacity Building Council, Assessment and Improvement Council and Research and Development Council respectively, by rotation---Members, ex officio;

(n) Finance Officer of the University---Member, ex officio;

(o) President, Alumni Association---Member, ex officio;

(p) Four eminent persons in the field of co-operatives---Members;

(q) Representative of the Reserve Bank, not below the rank of

Executive Director---Member, ex officio; and

(r) the Registrar---Member-Secretary, ex officio.

(3) The term of office of the nominated members, other than ex officio Members shall be for a period of three years from the date of their nomination:

Provided that term of office of an ex officio Member shall continue so long as he holds the office by virtue of which he is a member.

(4) Subject to the provisions of this Act and the statutes made thereunder, the Governing Board shall exercise and perform the following powers and functions, namely:---

(a) to review, from time to time, the broad policies and programmes of the University, and to suggest measures for the improvement and development of the University;

(b) to consider and pass resolutions on the annual report and the annual accounts of the University and the audit report on such accounts;

(c) to nominate members of Academic and Research Council, Capacity Building Council, Assessment and Improvement Council, Research and Development Council and Board for Affiliation and Recognition; and

(d) to perform such other powers and functions as may be provided by the Statutes.

Section 22.Executive Council.

(1) The Vice-Chancellor shall be the ex officio Chairperson of the Executive Council, which shall be the principal executive body of the University and shall exercise supervision and control over all authorities of the University referred to in clauses (c) to (k) of section 20.

(2) The constitution of the Executive Council, the term of office of its members and its powers and functions shall be such as may be provided by the Statutes.

Section 23.Academic and Research Council.

(1) The Vice-Chancellor shall be the ex officio Chairperson of the Academic and Research Council, which shall be the principal academic and research body of the University and shall, subject to the provisions of this Act, the Statutes and the Ordinances made thereunder, co-ordinate and exercise general supervision over the academic and research policies of the University.

(2) The constitution of the Academic and Research Council, the term of office of its members and its powers and functions shall be such as may be provided by the Ordinances.

Section 24.Executive Board of Institute of Rural Management Anand School.

(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act and the Statutes made thereunder, there shall be an Executive Board of the Institute of Rural Management Anand School which shall, co-ordinate and exercise general supervision over such School.

(2) The constitution of the Executive Board, selection of its Chairperson, the term of office of its Chairperson and members and its powers and functions shall be such as may be provided by the Statutes.

Section 25.Capacity Building Council.

(1) The Vice-Chancellor shall be the ex officio Chairperson of the Capacity Building Council, which shall be the principal body of the University for capacity building programmes and shall, subject to the provisions of this Act, the Statutes and the Ordinances made thereunder, co-ordinate and exercise general supervision over the capacity building policies of the University.

(2) The constitution of the Capacity Building Council, the term of office of its members and its powers and functions shall be such as may be provided by the Ordinances.

Section 26.Assessment and Improvement Council.

(1) The Vice-Chancellor shall be the ex officio Chairperson of the Assessment and Improvement Council, which shall be the principal body of the University for assessment and improvement of all programmes and shall, subject to the provisions of this Act, the Statutes and the Ordinances made thereunder, co-ordinate and exercise general supervision over the matters relating to assessment and improvement of such programmes.

(2) The constitution of the Assessment and Improvement Council, the term of office of its members and its powers and functions shall be such as may be provided by the Ordinances.

Section 27.Research and Development Council.

(1) The Vice-Chancellor shall be the ex officio Chairperson of the Research and Development Council, which shall be the principal body of the University for undertaking and promoting research and development activities in all sectors relating to co-operatives and shall, subject to the provisions of this Act, the Statutes and the Ordinances made thereunder, co-ordinate and exercise general supervision over the matters relating to research and development.

(2) The constitution of the Research and Development Council, the term of office of its members and its powers and functions shall be such as may be provided by the Ordinances.

Section 28.Board for Affiliation and Recognition.

(1) The Vice-Chancellor shall be the ex officio Chairperson of the Board for Affiliation and Recognition, which shall be responsible for admitting or affiliating institutes to the privileges of the University.

(2) The constitution of the Board for Affiliation and Recognition, the term of office of its members and its powers and functions shall be such as may be provided by the Ordinances.

Section 29.Finance Committee.

(1) The Vice-Chancellor shall be the ex officio Chairperson of the Finance Committee.

(2) The constitution of the Finance Committee, the term of office of its members and its powers and functions shall be such as may be provided by the Ordinances.

Section 30.Board of Co-operative Studies.

(1) Every School shall have a Board of Co-operative Studies.

(2) The constitution of the Board of Co-operative Studies, the term of office of its members and its powers and functions shall be such as may be provided by the Ordinances.

(3) The Board of Co-operative Studies shall have such number of Committees not exceeding five, including three Committees, comprising of experts, dealing in streams of degree, diploma and certificate, respectively.

(4) The constitution, powers and functions of the Committees referred to in sub-section (3) shall be such as may be provided by the Ordinances.

Section 31.Other authorities of University.

The manner of appointment, terms and conditions, powers and functions of other authorities referred to in clause (k) of section 20 shall be such as may be provided by the Ordinances.

Section 32.Meetings of authorities.

(1) The authorities except the Governing Board and Executive Council shall meet at such places and times, and shall follow such rules of procedure in regard to the transaction of the business at its meetings (including quorum), as maybe provided by the Ordinances.

(2) If the Chairperson of any authority, for any reason is unable to attend a meeting of such authority, any other member chosen by the members present amongst themselves at the meeting, shall preside over the meeting.

Section 33.Statutes.

Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Statutes may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:---

(a) the constitution of the Governing Board, Executive Council and Executive Board, as may be constituted from time to time, and their powers and functions;

(b) the appointment and continuance in office of the members of the Governing Board, Executive Council and Executive Board, the filling up of vacancies of members, and all other matters relating to these authorities;

(d) the terms and conditions relating to clause (iv) of sub-section (3) of section 7, subject to any provision relating to transfer of teachers from the University to other Central University or Centrally Funded Technical Institutes to be decided in consultation with concerned Central Government Departments; and

(e) all other matters which by this Act are to be, or may be, provided for by the Statutes.

Section 34.Power to make Statutes.

(1) The first Statutes as specified in the Second Schedule shall be continued till they are superseded by new Statutes.

(2) The new or additional Statutes shall be made by the Central Government either suo motu or on the recommendation of the Executive Council, at any point of time and as deemed fit.

Section 35.Ordinances.

Subject to the provisions of this Act and the Statutes made thereunder, the Ordinances may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:---

(a) the constitution, powers and functions of all authorities except Governing Board, Executive Council and Executive Board, as may be constituted from time to time;

(b) the appointment and continuance in office of the members of the said authorities and other bodies, the filling up of vacancies of members, and all other matters relating to those authorities and other bodies for which it may be necessary or desirable to provide;

(c) the appointment, powers and duties, emoluments and terms and conditions of service of officers of the University and the Institute of Rural Management Anand School except Vice-Chancellor, Registrar and Finance Officer;

(d) the appointment of teachers, academic staff and other employees of the University and the Institute of Rural Management Anand School, their emoluments and terms and conditions of their service;

(e) the appointment of teachers and academic staff working in any other University or organisation for a specific period for undertaking a joint project;

(f) the terms and conditions of service of employees including provisions for pension, insurance, provident fund, the manner of termination of service and disciplinary action;

(g) the principles governing the seniority of service of the employees of the University;

(h) the procedure for arbitration in cases of dispute between employees or students and the University;

(i) the procedure for appeal to the Executive Council by any employee or student against the action of any officer or authority of the University;

(j) the conferment of affiliation to institutes;

(k) the establishment and closure of Schools, Departments and hostels;

(l) the conferment of honorary degrees;

(m) the conferment and withdrawal of degrees, diplomas, certificates and other academic distinctions;

(n) the management of Schools established and maintained by the University;

(o) the delegation of powers vested in the authorities or officers of the University and the Institute of Rural Management Anand School;

(p) the maintenance of discipline among the employees and students;

(q) the admission of students to the University and their enrolment as such;

(r) the courses of study and their duration to be laid down for all degrees, diplomas and certificates of the University;

(s) the medium of instructions and examinations;

(t) the award of degrees, diplomas, certificates and other academic distinctions, the qualifications for the same and the means to be taken relating to the granting and obtaining of the same;

(u) the fees to be charged for courses of study in the University and for admission to examinations, degrees and diplomas of the University;

(v) the conditions for award of fellowships, scholarships, studentships, medals and prizes;

(w) the conduct of examinations, including the term of office and manner of appointment and the duties of examining bodies, examiners and moderators;

(x) the conditions of residence of the students of the University;

(y) the special arrangements, if any, which may be made for the residence and teaching of women students and prescribing special courses of studies for them;

(z) the establishment of Centres of Studies, Board of Studies and other Committees;

(za) the manner of co-operation and collaboration with other Universities, institutions and other organisations including industry;

(zb) the creation, composition and functions of any other body which is considered necessary for improving the academic life of the University;

(zc) the setting up of a machinery for redressal of grievances of employees and students; and

(zd) any other matter which, by this Act or the Statutes made thereunder, is to be or may be, provided for by the Ordinances.

Section 36.Power to make Ordinances.

(1) The first Ordinances shall be made by the Vice-Chancellor and the Ordinances so made may be amended or repealed at any time by the Executive Council.

(2) Save as otherwise provided in sub-section (1), the Executive Council shall make Ordinances either suo motu or on the recommendation of the related authority of the University referred to in clauses (c) to (k) of section 20, as decided by such Executive Council.

(3) Every Ordinance so made under sub-sections (1) and (2) shall be submitted, as soon as may be after it is made, to the Central Government for information.

Section 37.Regulations.

Any authority under section 20 may make Regulation, consistent with the provisions of this Act, the Statutes and the Ordinances made thereunder, for the conduct of its own business and every Regulation so made shall be submitted, as soon as may be after it is made, to the Executive Council for information.

Section 38.Annual report.

(1) The annual report of the University shall be prepared under the directions of Executive Council, which shall include, among other matters, the steps taken by the University towards the fulfilment of its objects and shall be submitted to the Governing Board after the approval of Executive Council within six months from the closing of financial year and the Governing Board shall consider the report in its annual meeting.

(2) The Governing Board shall submit the annual report to the Central Government along with its comments, if any, on or before the expiry of nine months from the closing of financial year.

(3) The Central Government shall, as soon as may be after it is received, cause a copy of the annual report be laid before each House of Parliament.

Section 39.Annual accounts.

(1) The University shall maintain proper accounts and other relevant records and prepare an annual statement of accounts, including the balance-sheet, in such form and accounting standards as may be provided by it in consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India.

(2) The accounts of the University shall be audited by the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India and any expenditure incurred by it in connection with such audit shall be payable by the University to the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India.

(3) The Comptroller and Auditor-General of India and any person appointed by him in connection with the audit of the accounts of the University shall have the same rights, privileges and authority in connection with such audit as the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India has in connection with the audit of the Government accounts, and, in particular, shall have the right to demand the production of books, accounts, connected vouchers and other documents and papers and to inspect the offices of the University.

(4) The accounts of the University as certified by the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India or any other person appointed by him in this behalf together with the audit report thereon shall be forwarded annually to the Central Government on or before the expiry of nine months from the closing of financial year and that Government shall cause the same to be laid before each House of Parliament.

Section 40.Fund of University.

(1) There shall be a University Fund which shall include---

(a) any contribution or grant made by the Central Government;

(b) grant from Co-operative Education Fund maintained under the Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act, 2002 (39 of 2002) or States' or Union Territories' Co-operative Societies Acts;

(d) any contribution or grant made by the State Government;

(e) any contribution made by Government, semi-Government or autonomous bodies;

(f) any gifts, bequests, donations, endowments or other grants;

(g) income received by the University from fees and charges;

(h) income received by the University from undertaking projects and consultancy services;

(i) money received by the University from the collaborating industries, co-operative societies, federations, unions and other organisations in terms of the provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding between the University and such collaborating industry, co-operative society, federation, union or other organisation; and

(j) money received from any other source, provided that any funding from foreign sources shall require prior approval of the Central Government.

(2) All funds of the University shall be deposited in such banks or invested in such manner as the Executive Council may decide on the recommendation of the Finance Committee.

(3) The funds of the University shall be applied towards meeting the expenses of the University including expenses incurred in the exercise of its powers and discharge of its functions by or under this Act.

(4) The University, at all times, shall strive to be self-sufficient in meeting its expenses and shall, while launching new courses or programmes, establishing new schools or other infrastructure, creating or filling posts, incurring recurring or non-recurring expenses and creating any other financial liability, take into account financial resources that are either available with the University or tied up with stakeholders or any other source.

Section 41.Conditions of service of employees, etc.

(1) Every employee of the University shall be appointed under a written contract, which shall be lodged with the University and a copy of which shall be furnished to the employee concerned.

(2) Any dispute arising out of the contract between the University and any employee shall, at the request of the employee, be referred to a Dispute Resolution Body consisting of one member appointed by the Executive Council, one member nominated by the employee concerned and an independent member from outside the University to be appointed by the Executive Council.

(3) The decision of the Dispute Resolution Body shall be final and no suit shall lie in any civil court in respect of the matters decided by the Dispute Resolution Body.

(4) Every request made by the employee under sub-section (2) shall be deemed to be a submission to arbitration upon the terms of this section within the meaning of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 (26 of 1996).

(5) The procedure for regulating the work of the Dispute Resolution Body shall be such as may be provided by the Ordinances.

Section 42.Right to appeal.

(1) Any person including an employee or a student of the University Aggrieved by the decision or order of the Academic and Research Council, the Capacity Building Council, the Assessment and Improvement Council, the Research and Development Council, the Board for Affiliation and Recognition and the Board of Co-operative Studies may file an appeal to the Executive Council.

(2) The form, manner and the procedure for filing and disposing of appeal referred to in subsection (1) shall be such as may be provided by the Ordinances.

Section 43.Provident and pension funds.

(1) The University shall constitute for benefit of its employees such provident fund or any other similar fund or provide such insurance schemes, as it may deem fit, in such manner and subject to such conditions, as may be provided by the Ordinances.

(2) Where such provident fund or other similar fund has been so constituted, the Central Government may declare that the provisions of the Provident Funds Act, 1925 (19 of 1925) shall apply to such fund, as if it were a Government provident fund.

Section 44.Returns and information.

The University shall furnish to the Central Government such returns or other information with respect to its property or activities, within such period, as may be determined by the Central Government from time to time.

Section 45.Acts and proceedings not invalidated by vacancies.

No act or proceedings of any authority or other body of the University shall be invalid merely by reason of the existence of a vacancy or vacancies among its members.

Section 46.University and Institute of Rural Management Anand School to be public authority under Right to Information Act.

The provisions of the Right to Information Act, 2005 (20 of 2005) shall apply to the University and the Institute of Rural Management Anand School, as if it were a public authority defined in clause (h) of section 2 of that Act.

Section 47.Protection of action taken in good faith.

No suit, prosecution or other legal proceedings shall lie against any officer or other employee of the University for anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done in pursuance of any of the provisions of this Act, the Statutes or the Ordinances made thereunder.

Section 48.Act to have overriding effect.

Save as otherwise provided, the provisions of this Act shall be in addition to and not in derogation of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956 (3 of 1956) and any other law for the time being in force.

Section 49.Mode of proof of University record.

Notwithstanding anything contained in the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (47 of 2023) or in any other law for the time being in force, a copy of any receipt, application, notice, order, proceeding or resolution of any authority or other body of the University, or any other document in possession of the University, or any entry in any register duly maintained by the University, if certified by the Registrar, shall be received as prima facie evidence of such receipt, application, notice, order, proceeding, resolution or document or the existence of entry in the register and shall be admitted as evidence of the matters and transactions therein where the original thereof would, if produced, have been admissible in evidence.

Section 50.Statutes to be laid before Parliament.

(1) Every Statute made under this Act shall be published in the Official Gazette.

(2) Every Statute made under this Act, shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each House of Parliament, while it is in session, for a total period of thirty days which may be comprised in one session or in two or more successive sessions, and if, before the expiry of the session immediately following the session or the successive sessions aforesaid, both Houses agree in making any modification in the Statute or both Houses agree that the Statute should not be made, the Statute shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; so, however, that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that Statute.

(3) The power to make Statutes shall include the power to give retrospective effect, from a date not earlier than the date of commencement of this Act, to the Statutes but no retrospective effect shall be given to any Statutes so as to prejudicially affect the interests of any person to whom such Statutes may be applicable.

Section 51.Residuary provision.

(1) The Central Government shall have the authority to deal with any matter pertaining to the University and the Institute of Rural Management Anand School and not specifically dealt with in this Act.

(2) The decision of the Central Government on all such matters shall be final.

Section 52.Power to remove difficulties.

(1) If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of this Act, the Central Government may, by order published in the Official Gazette, make such provisions, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, as may appear to it to be necessary or expedient for removing the difficulty: Provided that no such order shall be made under this section after the expiry of three years from the date of commencement of this Act.

(2) Every order made under this section shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each House of Parliament.

Section 53.Transitional provisions.

Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act and the Statutes made thereunder,---

(a) the Board of Governors and other committees functioning in Institute of Rural Management Anand shall continue to function till such time the authorities or committees are constituted in the University under the provisions of this Act;

(b) the existing officers of Institute of Rural Management Anand shall continue to function till such time, the officers of the University are appointed under the provisions of this Act; and

(c) till the First Statutes and Ordinances are made, any matter not specifically dealt within this Act shall be governed by rules and regulations of Institute of Rural Management Anand.