 the national' dairy development board bill, 1987 arrangement of clauses chapter i preliminary clauses1 short title and commencement 2 declaration of national dairy development board as an institution of national importance 3 definitions  chapter u the national' dairy development board4 incorporation of national dairy development board 5 vesting of undertakings of indian dairy corporation in national dairy development board and dissolution of indian dairy corporation 6 effect of incorporation of national dairy development board 7 s$ving of legal proceedings  chapter iii managemen'li of the national dairy development board8 management of national dairy development board and composition of its board of directors 9 terms of office and conditions of service, etc, of chairman and directors 10 meetings of board 11 manner of transacting busit1£!!ls of board 12 management committees 13 allowances, etc;, of members of rtlanagerrtent committees 14 delegation of pow!!rs to managemertt cammtttees, etc 15 delegation of powers to whole-time directors, etc  chapter iv powers and functions of the national dairy development board16 powersand functions of national dairy development board  chapter v provisions relating to directors and employees of the national dairy· development boaltd clausesr7 prov;sions· regarding members of board of society and directors of dissolved company 18 provisions relating to officers and other employees of society and of dissolved company 19 power of board to restructure and streamline organisational and functional set up of national dairy development board to secure utmost efficiency in functioning 20 schemes regarding compensation to redundant employees, etc 21 compensation for transfer of employees not payable 22 provident fund, gratuity, welfare and other fu,nds  chapter vi finance, alccounts and audit:!3 borrowing powers of board 24 grants and loans by central government 2;') grants, donations, etc ~ national dairy development board fund ~:7 preparation of accounts and balance-sheet 28 audit 29 reports to be laid before parliament 30 power to call for repayment before agreed period 31 special provisions for enforcement of claims by national dairy development board  chapter vii miscellaneous32 defects in appointments not to invalidate acts, etc of board , 33 protection of acts done in good faith 34 indemnity of directors 35 obligation as to fidelity and seerecy 36 recruitment of additional officers and other employees :17 liquidation only under orders of central government 3'j delegation of certain powers by central government ;j9 transitional provisions for auditors 40 trasitional provisions with regard to chairman and board 41 management or assistance to others to continue 42 mother dairy to be a subsidiary unit of national dairy development board 43 formation of companies with previous approval of central government clauses 44 exemption from tax on income 45 power to make schemes and regulations regarding service matters retrospectively 46 retrospectively operation of schemes and regulations regarding service matters retrospectively 47 act to have oveniding effect 48 power to make regulations 49 power to remove difticulties 50 scheinlos and regulations to be laid before parliament  th'j schedule billto decmre the institution known as the natianal dairy development board in the state of gujarat to be an institution of national impo-r tance and to provide for its incorporation and for the vesting in that body corporate of the undertakings of the ind:an dairy corporation with a view to provide for the administration and the carrying on of the functions to be perfctrmed by the body corporate more effectively throughout the country and for matters connected therewith and incidental thereto 11 of 1860 whereas the national dairy development board, a society fonned and registered ,under the societies registration act, 1860 has been serving the country by the adoption of a cooperative strategy, being a strategy evolved at anand (gujarat) for the economic development of the rural masses and has been playin,g a vital role in improving the quality of life of the people through co-operative effort; and whereas the objects of the national dairy development board are such as to make it an institution of national importance and to constitute it as a body corporate; ';  1 alit"  - and whereas the functions of the indian dairy corporation if company, formed and re~!1:ered under the ·'companies act 1956 and the functions of tbe national dairy development board are complementary to each, other and aimed at achieving common objectives; and whereas it is necessary that the freedom and flexibility of operation hitherto available to the national dairy development board should continue to be available to it so as to enable it to perform its functions more effectively and to playa wider and increasingly important role in serving the nation; and whereas it is considered necessary to vest the undertakings of the indian dairy corporation in the national dairy development board and to dissolve the said corporation with a view to provide for the administration and the carrying on of the functions to be performed by the body corporate more effectively be it enacted by parliament in the thirty-eighth year of the republic of india as follows:- chapter ipdlimnrary t (1) this act may be called the national dairy development board 5 act, 1987 i (2) it shall come into force on such date as the central government may, by notiflcation in the ofrcial gazette, appoint 8bort title and commencement 2 whereas the objects of the national dairy development board at anand in the state of gujarat are such as to make the institutien one 10 of national importance, it is hereby deelared that the national !)airy development board is an institution of national importance declara tion of natlodal dairy development board u an id&t1tutlon of ilaticlnal importance  3: in this act, unless the context otherwise'requires,-definitions (a) "appointed day" means the date of commencement of this act; l' (b) ·'board" means the board csf directors of the natimal dairy development board; (e), "chairman" means the chairman of the national dairy dew10pment board; (ei) "companies at!t" means the companies act, 1956: 20 1 gl19s6 (e) ··director" means a director of the national dairy de~ ment board; and includes the chairman; (f) "foodstuffs" means sueh of the foodstuffs as are included in the definition of essential eommodities as contained in clause (a) of section· 2 of the e6sential commodities act 1955; 251001 195', - (11) "indian dairy corporation" mees the indian dairy· eer,o ration, a company formed and registered un~r' the- cbmpanies ad, and having its registered offtee at ~ fa the, state of g\tjaratf (h) "milk products" means-(i) jterirised, standardised, recombined, toned, doubletoned, skimmed, flavoured or acidified milk; (ii) ice-cream; (iii) cream; (iv) cheese; (v) butter; (vi) milk powders; (vii) wea:ling foods with milk and infant milk foods; (viii) malted milk foods with or without cocoa powder; 10 (i:t') ghee; (x) anhydrous milk fat and butter oil; (xi) casein; (xii) any other product containing milk or ·an or any of 15 the milk products specified above which the central government may" by notification in the official gazette specify in this behalf; - (0 "national dairy development board" means the national dairy development board incorporated under section 4; 20 (j) "prescribed" means prescribed by regulations made under this act; (k) "restructuring and sl reamlining" in relation to the organisational and functional set lip of the national dairy development board includes-25 (i) opening or closing of units or offices; (ii) revision of the organisational and functional set-up; (iii) declaration of staff required: (iv) integration of posts, fixation of seniority and pay bcales: 30 (v) integration of required personnel in the revised set-up and issuance of appointment orders in that behalf; (vi) declaration or demarcation of duties and responsibilities attendant to posts;  (vii) declaration of posts equivalent to one another; and 3s (mii) any other matter that may be necessary or incidental to meet the organisational or functional needs of the national dairy development board; 21 of 1860 (1) "society" means the national dairy development board, a society formed and registered under the societies registration act, 1860 and functioning as such immediately before the appointed day; (m) words and expressions used herein and not defined, but defined in the companies act, have the meanings respeetively assigned tq them in that act  chapter ii the national dairy development board4 (1) the national dairy development board is hereby constituted a body corporate by the same name, and as such body corporate, it shall have perpetual succession and a common seal with power, subject to 5 the provisions of this act to acquire, hold and dispose of property and to contract, and shall, by that name, sue and be sued inc0rporation of national dair7 deve-10pjdedt board (2) the head office of the national dairy development board shall be at anand in the state of gujarat (3) the national dairy development board may establish units, 10 offices, branches or agencies at any such place in or outside india as it may consider necessary 5 (1) on and from the appointed day, subject to the other provisions of this act, all the undertakings of the indian dairy corporation shall stand transferred to and vest in the national dairy development board 15 (2) notwithstanding anything contained in the companies act, the indian dairy corporation shall, on and from the appointed day stand dissolved by virtue of the provisions this act vestins of undertakinia of indian dah)o corporati9n in national dairy development board add dieioludod of lddiau dairy c0rporation  6 on and from the appointed day,-(a) all properties and assets, movable and immovable of, or 20 belonging to, the society and the indian dairy corporation (hereinafter referred to as the dissolved company) shall vest in the national dairy development board; ejfectof idcorpora-national dairy develop ment board tb) all the rights, debts, liabilities, interests privileges and obligations of the society and the indian dairy corporation shall 2s stand transferred to and be the rights liabilities, interesis, privileges and obligations of, the national dairy ·development board; (c) without prejudice to the provisions of clause (b), all debts, i liabilities and obligations incurred all contracts entered into and all matters and things engaged to be done by, with or for, the society 30 or the dissolved company, immediately before the appointed day for or in connection with their purposes, shall be deemed to have been incurred, entered into, or engaged to be done by, with, or for, the national dairy development board; - i (d) all sums of money due to the society and the dissolved company, immediately before the appointed day, shall be deemed to be due to the~oard; (e) every subsidiary of the society and the dissolved company shall become the subsidiary of the national dairy development board; 10 (f) eve·ry organisation, which was being managed immediately before the appointed day by the society or, as the case may be, by the dissolved company, shall be managed by the national dairy development board for such period to such extent and in such manner as the circumstances may require; 15 (g) every organisation which was getting financial, managerial or technical assistance from the society or the dissolved company, immediately before the appointed day, may continue to be given financial, managerial or technical assistance, as the case may be, by the national dairy development board, for such period, to such extent and in such manner as the national dairy development board may deem fit; 20 (h) the amount representing the capital of the dissolved company shall form part of the funds of the national dairy development board; (i) any reference to the society or, as the case may be; to the dissolved company, in any law other than this act or in any qontract or other instrument shall be deemed to be reference to the national dairy development board 25 | saving    | of    ||-----------|-------|| legal     | pro'  || ceedings |       |11 if, on the appointed day, there is pending any suit, arbitration, appeal or other legal proceedings of whatever nature by or against the society or the dissolved company, the same shall not abate, be discontinued or be in any way prejudicially affected by reason of the incor-30 po ration of the national dairy development board under section 4 or dissolution of the indian dairy corporation under section 5, as the case may be, but the suit,· arbitration, appe~l or other proceedings may be continued, prosecuted and enforced by or against the national dairy development board in the same manner and to the same extent as it 35 would or puly have been continued, prosecuted ~d enforced by or ag~inst the society or the dissolved company, as the case may be, it this act had not been passed chapter m managemeln' of the national dairy devi:ropm:ent board 0 8 (1) the general superintendence, direction, control and management of the affairs and business of the national dairy development board shall vest in a board of directors, which shall exercise all powers and do all acts and things which may be exercised or done by the national dairy development board 4~ (2) the board of directors of the national dairy development board shall consist of the following, namely:- (a) a chairman; mana,,, ment of national dait"y develop· ment board and com position of jis &ard ot director!, (b) one director from limongst the officials of the central qqvknmerltj (c) two directors from amongst the chairmen of the stat~ co-operative dairy federations; (d) whole-time directors, not more than three in number, from amongst the executives of the highest grade of the national dairy development board; 5 (e) one director, being an expert from outside the national dairy development board (3) the chairman and the director referred to in clause (b) of subsection (2) shall be nominated by the central government and the dlrectors referred to in clauses (c), (d) and (e) of sub-section (2) shall l( be nominated by the central government after consultation with the chairman: provided that the chairman and the directo,r referred to in clause (e) of sub-section (2) shall be persons professionally qualified in one or more lpecilities, namely, dairying, animal husbandry, rural economics, rural 15 development, business administration or banking (4) the board may associate with itself, in such manner, on such terms and for such purposes as it may deem fit, any person whose assistance or advice it may desire in complying with any of the provisions of this act, and a person so associated shall have the right to take part in 20 the discussions of the board relevant to the purposes for which he has been associated but shall not have the right to vote 'l'erms of qfftce and con_ ditions of 9 (1) the chairman shall be the chief executive of the national dairy development board and shall hold office for such period as the central gowrnment may determine and any person so nominated shall be 25 eligible for renomination ~ervice, e1c, of chairman a!iu di!'c,t~:s (2) notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), the central government shall have the rght to terminate the services of the chairman, at any time before the expiry of the period determined under that sub-section, by giving him notice of not less than three months in 30 writing or three months salary and allowances in lieu thereof, and the chairman shall also have the right to relinquish his office, at any time before the expiry of the period specified under that sub-section, by giving to the central government notice of not less than three ·months in writing "\,135 (3) the chairman shall receive such salary and al1owan~ as may be determined by the central government (4) where an executive of the national dairy development board has been nominated uncler section '3 as a whole-time director thereof such nomination shall be without prejudice to his continuance as an 40 executive of the national dairy development board and he may be continueci as such executive on his ceasing to be a director (5) the directors nominated under clause (c) of sub-section (2) of section 8 shall hold office for such period not exceeding one year at a time as the central government may determine and the directors 45 nominated under clauses (d) and (e) of sub-section (2) (if section 8 shall hold office for such period as the central government may determine (6) every director, other than the chairman, shall hold office during the pleasure of the central government (7) the directors referred to in clauses (b), (c) and (e) of sub-section (2) of section 8 shall be paid such allowances as the central 5 government may determine 10 (1) the board shall meet at the head office of the national meetings dairy development board or any of its offices at such times as the of board chairman may direct, and shall observe such rules of procedure in regard to the transaction of business at its meetings (including the quorum at 10 its meetings) as may be prescribed (2) the chairman or, if he is unable to attend a meeting of the boarcj  any other director nominated by the chainnan in this behalf and, in the absence of such nomination or where there is no chairman, any director chosen by the directors present from among themselves, shall preside 15 at the meeting  (3) all questions which come up before any meeting of the board shall be decided by a majority of votes of the directors present and votinlit and in the event of an equality of votes, the chairman or the person presiding shall have the right to exercise a second or castini 20 vote i i "-"-"" (4) save as otherwise p;rovided lin sub·section (3), every ddrector of the board shall have one vote 11 (1) subject to the provisions of this act, the board shar, in tha discharge of its functions, act on sound business principles with due 25 regard to public interest manner of transacting bushl88a  of board '(2) save as otherwise prescribed, the chairman shall have the powers of general superintendence, direction, control and management of the affairs and business of the national dairy development board, and he may exercise all other powers and do all acts and things which may be exer-3j cised or done by the board (3) the chairman may, when he is unable to discharge his functicm'~: by reason of his being away or otherwise, authorise any whole-time director to discharge all or any of his functions for a temporary period (4) in the absence of the chairman and of an authorised wholetime 35 director as referred to in sub-section (3), for whatsoever reason, the powers of the chairman may be exercised by the senior-most of the wholetime directors referred to in clause (d) of sub-section (2) of section 8 12 (1) the board may from time t9 time con::;titute such number of 40 management committees as it may deem fit for the purpose of assisting the board in the efficient discharge of its functions manage· m£mt commltteell (2) a management committee shall com;ist of such number of persons (whether directors or otherwise) as its members ils the board may determine subject to the condition that in every such committee 45 either tlte chairman or a whole-time directl)r shall be a memher thereof, (3) every management committee shall function under the general control, direction and superintendence of the board, and for such duration and in such manner as the board may direct (4) the minutes of every meeting of the management committees shall, as soon as may be, be laid before the board 5 13 (1) the members of any management committee, other than the chairman and whole-time directors, may be paid such allowances, if any, as may be prescribed, for attending the meetings of the management committee or for attending to any other work of the national dairy development board '10 allowadces, etc • of mcmbera of manap meftt committees (2) all other matters pertaining to the conduct of proceedings of the management committees shall be such as may be prescribed 14 (1) the board may delegate to any management committee or to any member thereof or to any officer of the national dairy development board, subject t6 such conditions and limitations, if any, as may be sped- 15 fied by the board, such of its powers and functions under this act as it may aeem necessary for the efficient discharge of its functions  dele,s tion of powers to management commit·  ~ees etc (2) the board may, if it considers it necessary so to do in the public interest delegate any of its powers and functions, subject to such conditions and limitations, if any" as may be specified by it, to a co-operative 20 federation at the national or state level or to any organisation owned, managed, controlled or assisted by the national dairy development board 15 tlle bmrd may, from time to time, by order, delegate, subject to ruch general and special conditions as it may deem fit to impose the 25 powers of appointment, termination, suspension and clismissal from service of any employee of the national dairy development board,-delega_ tion of powers to wholetime directors, etc (a) who is dra'wing a salarv in such higher grade al'! may be prescribed, t(' a whole-time director and (b) who i!': drawing a salary in any grade, other than a higher 30 grade prescribed under clause' (a), to such officer of the national dairy developrn  nt board as it may deem fit: provided that in relation to employeec:; falling under clause (by, the chairman may, if he f'onriders it necessary or expedient so to do, perform the functions of the board under this section 35  chaprer iv powers and functions of the national dairy development board 16 (1) subject to the nrovisi-ons of this act,-powers and func· tio~ of national dairy develop· ment bop! (a) it shall be thp duty and function of th(' national dairy 40 development board to promote ulan and organise programmes for the purposes of development of dairy and other agriculture ba,sed and allied industries and biologicals on an intensive and nation-wide basis and to render assistance 1'1 the implementation of such orogrammes; (by it shall be the respon~jbi1itv of the national dairy develoi>-ment board to adopt the ('oooperative strategy in a more effective manner on an intensive and nation-wide basis and to take such step' as may be necessary for the purposes aforesaid; and (c) the national dairy development board may take such measures for carrying out the said purposed, and for the exercise of ~ its powers and the performance of its functions and responsibilities under this act, as it may consider necessary (2) in particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provisions, the measures referred to therein may provide for-(a) facilitating research and promotio'flal activities in the 10 fields of dairying, immunology, animal husbandry, agriculture and horticulture; (~) imparting technological know-how to such organisations bs the co-operative or public sector as are engaged in the production, procurement, preservation or marketing of milk and milk products; 15 (c) facilitating the training of personnel for absorbing and utilising the technical know-how that may be imparted; (d) designing, planning, promoting, developing, constructing, sponsoring and setting up of dairy industries and undertaking any other related promotional activity including the financing of the 20 same; (e) providing consultancy and managerial services and the execution of any project on a turn-key basis or otherwise, furnishing integral services such as storage, transportation, processing, distribution of milk and milk products and to serve as a lead institution with 25 reference to milk and milk products; (f) adopting such measures as may be practicable-(i) for the conservation of milk and milk products by avoidance of waste at all stages or otherwise; (ii) to assist primary producers of milk and milk products 30 and persons in the co-operative and public sector to get incentive prices; and (ijii} to build up a national milk grid; (g) recommending to government, as and when necessary, the maximum and minimum prices to be fixed for the purchase or sale 3s of milk and, if so required, assist in the enforcement of it; (h) functioning as a crannelising agency in respect of import and export of milk and milk products and of milch animals or bulls; (i) providing financial, technical, administrative, managerial or other assistance or taking such measures as may be necessary-(a) for the development (if required by the import of quality semen) and preservation of high yielding cattle; (8) for adopting improved methods of cattle breeding: (c) for increasing production and supply of better nad improved animal feed including fodder; and (d) generally for the enhancement of the cattle wealth of the country; (j)' processing, promoting or financing technological, industrial 5 or economic research in milk and milk products ip such manner u the board may deem fit by the utilisation of available institutions or otherwisej (k) financing, in such manner as the board may deem appropriate (including contribution to capital), of co-operative federations 10 co-operative union~ or co-operative enterprises or of any scheme in the co-operative or public sector intended to stimulate the production, preservation, distribution and consumption of milk and milk products nation-wide; (1) regulating the dairy and allied industri~ and functioning as 15 regulatory authority therefor, as may be required by the central government; (1nj) adopting measures for the development and co-ordination of organisations in the production of milk and milk products so as to enable the primary producers thereof to become participants in, and 20 beneficiaries of, the development and growth of dairy and allied industries; (n) collecting and compiling relevant dataanu statistics necessary for the efficient management of the national milk gtid and national milch herd and on any other matter relating to dairying 25 and allied industries; (0) promoting publicity on the research and development of dairy and allied industries; (p) promoting and developing production, grading and marketing of milk and milk products in various parts of the country; 30 (q) co-ope,rating with international organisations and foreign experts and for functioning as the agent of the central govemment for the reception, utilisation and disbursement of any gift of milk and milk products and any other foodstuffs; (tj) building up of a reserve of buffer stock of basic commodities; 3s (8) promoting the export of milk and milk products where, in the opinion of the board, it is so required to avoid waste or to otherwise serve the public interest and gelle'rally for exporting any article produced, processed o:r promoted by it; (t) acquiring, holding and disposing of any 'property for the purposes of its business; (u) transferring the whole or any part of its managerial, technicalor other functions in relation to any organisations receiving assistance from the national dairy development board to the recipient organisation: 5 (v) advancing or len:ling money upon security of movable or immovable property or otherwise; (w) borrowing money in such manner and upon such security as the board may deem fit; (x) carrying on, either by itself or through any other organisa-10 tions any other business or class of business, in a case where such business or class of business was being carried on by the society or the dissolved company immediately before the appointed day; (y) promoting and encouraging co-operative effort among those engaged in the production of milk and milk products and other 1 s foodstuffs; (z) levying fees or other charges for any assistance given or services rendered by the national dairy development board; (za) carrying on any other business or doing any other act or thing as may be necessary, incidental or conducive to further the 20 objectives of the national dairy development board under this act (3) if, immediately befure the appointed day, either the society or the dissolved company was engaged in the production, research and development processing marketing" import, export or other activities or had been rendering any service or assistance, in relation to any article or 2s product, other than milk and milk products or the dairy industry, then, notwithstanding anything contained in this act or in any other law, the national dairy development board may engage in the production, research and development, processing, marketing, import, export or other activities, or render such other services or assistance in relation to the said article 30 or product as may be required, and the provisions of sub-sections (1) and (2) shall so far as may be, apply in relation to that article or product, as it any ref~ence therein to milk and milk products or to dairy and allied industries had been a ref~ence to that article or product or service or activity 35 (4) where the central government or the government of any state considers that, having regard to the special expertise of the national dairy development board and the nee<ls of the public, it is necessary or advisable to entrust the national dairy development board with any activity, other than that to which the foregoing sub-sections apply, it 40 may entrust 'such activity to the national dairy development board, whereuport it shall be competent for the national dairy development board to carryon such activity (5) without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing powers, it shall be competent for the national dairy development board to parti-45 cipate with the prior approval of the central government in any other organisation, financially, managerially or in any other manner  chapter v :provisions relating to diiux:tors and employees of the national dairy development board17, every l)erson holding office as a member of the board of the society o,r as a director of the dissolved company, immediately before the appoint- 5 ed day, shall on and from that day cease to hold office as such member or director i>rovi" sions re_ garding members d! lxnlrd of society and directors of dis· solyed com pany 18 subject t'o the provisions of section 19, every full·time officer or other employees holding office immediately before the appointed day, in the society or the dissolved company, shall, on and from the appointed 10 day, become an officer 'or other employee, as the case may be, of the national dairy development board and shall hold office or service in the national dairy development board on the same terms and conditions of service as he would have had under the society or the dissolved company, as the case may be, and shall continue to do so unless and 15 until his terms and conditions of service are duly altered by the board provl sions reo lating to officers and other employee6 of society and of dissolv_ ed company_ 19 (1) notwithstanding anything contajned in this chapter, the na tional diary development board may make such orders or take such action as may be necessary for restructuring and s~reamlining the organisational and functional set-up of the national dairy development 20 board to secure utmost efficiency in its functioning, and the board shall, -for achieving this object, be competent to declare any officer or other employee or any class of officers or other employees to be redundant if it finds them redundant by way of being surplus or otherwise due to duplication of posts of the same nature, or absence ()f the special exper· 2s tise required for the post in the revised set-up, or the non-availability of power of board to restructure and streamline organisational and functional lidt-up of national dairy develoipment roard to posts in a particular office or unit of the national dairy development board and it is not practicable to accommodate him in the type of post in the particular grade 1lecut'8 utmost tmclency ill functjoo-'" (2) nothing in this chapter sha11 preclude the board, if it is 10 considered necessary for the purpose of rationalising the conditiofis of service of the officers and other employees so transferred to it, to change their· designation, conditions of service or the scales of pay applicable to them ·or to reallocate their duties ilnd functions  it (1) the officers or other employees declved  redun __ in c pursuance of section 19, shall be dealt with in aceor4ancewtthsuch scheme or schemes as the board may, with the previous appro s val of the central government, make in this behalf and different schemw may be made in relation to different classes or categories of officers and other' efnployees i sehem re,ard in, com pensa· tiooto redwadldt (2) the scheme or schemes referred to in sub-section provide for-(1) may;' emp' ( loyees,  eta , 10 (a) the quantum of compensation payable to any officer or other employee referred to in sub-section (1) and the mode of pay  ment thereof: provided that the compensation so payable shall in no eue be' less than that payable to him under the service conditions applicable i to him if his services were dispensed with; is (b) the quantum of arrears of salary or other emoluments, pro· vident fund, gratuity or any other amount that may be payable in accordance with the service conditions applicable to them; 20 (c) the provision for appeal for the aggrieved redundant o1ftcers and other employees and for the appellate authql'ity, belftg' an officer not below the rank of a joint secretary to the govemrne!lt'--of india in the ministry dealing with agriculture; (d) any other matter pertaining to the termination of serviee consequent on their being declared redundant  moiimtcompell-' satio for transfer of em~ loyee not u the transfer of the services of any officer or other employee' of 25' the-society or of the dissolved company to the national dairy develop meni board shall not entitle any such officer or other employee to any compensation under the industrial disputes act, 1947 or any other law' for the time being in force, and no such claim shall be entertained by any court, tribunal or other authority payab~ provi: dent fund, gratuity, welfare and other fundt 30 ft (1) where a provident fund has been established by the society or the dissolved company in respect of either of them for the benefit of the -officers or other employees and the same stands vested in a trust, the moneys and other assets standing to the credit of each provident fund shall continue to be held in trust with the same objects as were 35 appllcable before the appointed day! and the trustees of such trusts immediately before the appointed day shall, subject to the provisions of the trust deeds and the rules relating to the respective trusts, continue to function as trustees in respect of the respective provident fund o until and unless otherwise directed by the national dairy development  board, and the rights relating to the said trusts shall, as from the appointed day, vest in the national dairy development board (2) where any gratuity, welfare or other fund had been established by the society or the dissolved company for the benefit of its ofiicers or other employees and is in existence immediately before the appointed 4! day, all moneys and other assets standing to the credit of or relatable to such gratuity, welfare or other fund shall vest in the national dairy ~vel&pment board , (~) notwithstanding anything contained in sub-sections (1)  and (z), the board may give such directions relating to the trusts or lunda or take such other action as it may deem fit so as to bring about unifor mity or to effect integration in part or in whole in such trusts or funds (4) the board may, having regard to the welfare of the officers and s other employees or their families, take such steps for the advancement of their health, education or other interests as may be prescribed and create such institutions as may be required for the purpose (5) nothing in the foregoing provisions 'of this section shall derogate the power of the board to make regulations for establishing or main- 10 taining any provident fund, welfare fund, gratuity fund or other fund for any of its officers or other employees  chapter vi finance, accounts and audit%3 the board may, with the previous approval of the central govem- 15 ment or in accordance with the terms of any general or special authority given to it by the central government, borrow money from any source as it may' deem fit for discharging all or any of its functions under th1a act 24 the central government may, after due appropriation made by 20 parliament by law in this behalf, pay to the national dairy development board by way of grants or loans such sums of money as the central government may think fit for being utilised for the purposes of this act (kant and loans by centnl oovem ment %5 (1) the national dairy development board may receive gifts, grants, donations or benefactions from government or any other source 2s in or outside india and the same shall be used by the baud for exercising its functions and discharging its responsibilities under this act (2) the national dairy development board shall not receive any gifti, gr~nts, donations or benefactions from a foreign government or any other source outside india except with the previous approval 30 ()f the central government 26 (1) the national dairy development board shall maintain a fund to be called the national dairy development board fund to which shall be  cr~ited-xational dairy !'undo (a) all sums of money vested in the national dairy develop 3) ment board under chapter ii; (b) all sums of money that nlay be provided by government; (c) all fees and other charges received by the n~tional dai1')' development board; (d) all sums of money generated from gift commodities by the national dairy development board or received by it by way of ~ grants, donations, benefactions, bequests or transfers; and ('e) all sunls of money received by the national dairy development board in any other manner or from any other source (2) all sums of money credited to the said fund shall, subject to the regulations, if any, made in this behalf, be deposited with the 10 state bank of india or any other nationalised bank 'ol1970 explaination-in this sud-section "nationalised bank" means a corresponding new bank as defined in the banking companies (acquisition and transfer of undertakings) act, 1970, and the banking companies (acquisitlon and transfer of undertakings) act, 1980 40af 1p80, prepwa-·· tion of account ' and balancesheet 15 (3) the said fund shall be applied towards meeting the administrative and other expenses of the national dai,ry development board, including expenses incurred in the exercise of the powers and the diacharge of its functions and responsibilities under section 16 or in relatlon to any of the activities referred to therein or for anythini 20 relatable theretoj i-:-t 27 (1) the balance-sheet and accounts of the national dairy development board shall be prepared in such form and in such manner as may be prescribed i ,  ~ 10 (2) the board shall cause the books and accounts of the national 2s dairy development board to be closed and balanced as on the 31st day of march each year or such other date as the board may, with the concurrence of the central government, decide audit ' 28 (1) the accounts of the national dairy development board shall be audited by auditors duly qualified to act as auditors of companies under the companies act, and the appointment of auditors and remuneration 30 payable to them shall be subject to the approval of the central government (2) every auditor in the performance of his duties shall have at all reasonable times access to books, accounts and other documents of the national dairy development board 35 (3) the auditors shall submit their report to the board which shall forward a copy of their report to the central government 29 the central government shall cause the report of the auditors under section 28 to be laid before both the houses of parliament as soon as may be after such report is received by the central government reports to be laid betore parliament power toeall tor repay-' ment before agreed period ~o 30 notwithstanding anything contained in any agreement to the contrary, the board may, by notice in writing, require any person to which the national dairy development board or the society or the dis-101ved company has granted any loan or advance, to discharge forthwith in full, its liabilities to the board,-(4) if it appears to the board that any false or misleading information in any material particular was given in the application for the loan or advance; or (b) if the person has failed to comply with the terms of itl contract in the matter of the loan or advance; or (c) if there is - reasonable apprehension that the persod ii unable to pay his debts or that proceedings for liquidation may  be commenced in respect thereof; or cd) if the property pledged, mortgaged, hypothecated or autped as security for the loan or advance is not insured and kept idaul'ed 5 by the person to the satisfaction of the board (or depreciates in "value to such an extent that, in the opinion of the board,further security to the satisfaction of the board should be given and such  security is not given after demand); or (e) if, without due permission any machinery, plant or other ':10 equipment (whether forming part of security or not) is  teinovedfrom the concerned premises without being replaced; ~r (1) if it appears to the board that any condition in the loan agreement relating to_ the supply of goods or implementation of the project is being substantially violated; or is ", (g) if, for any other reason, the board considers it necessary so to do for protecting the interests of the national dairy development board '!t (1) where any person, in breach of any agreement, makes any default in the repayment of any loan or advance or any instalment thereof 20 (oj: in meeting its obligations in relation to the guarantee given by the national dairy development board) or otherwise fails to comply with the terms of agreement with the board or where the board requil!es any person 'to make immediate repayment of any loan or advance under section 30 and the person fails to make such repayment then without ~ prejudice to the provisions of section 69 of the transfer of property spedlll proft aionafar enfan:e mentof elaiml by national dairy dnelop ment bou4 act, 1882, any officer of the national dairy development board, gene-4 of lin rally or specially authorised by the board in this behalf, may apply to the court for one or more of the following reliefs, namely:-(0) for an order for the sale of the property pledged,morigaged, hypothecated or assigned to the national dairy developmeat 30 board as security for the loan or advance; or (b) -for transferring the management of any organisation to the "national dairy development board; or (c) for an ad interim injunction where there is apprehension that the machinery or other equipment is being removed from the 35 i premises of the organisation without due permission ,(2) the procedure for making an application under sub-aectwn (1) and for the disposal thereof shall be such as may be prescribed  chapter viimiscellaneous nno act or proceeding of the board or of any committee oftbe national dairy development board shall be questioned on the ground merely of the existence of any vacancy in, or defect in the constituttofl of, the board or the committee, as the case may be detect, in appointment not \0 invalidate de,ete  of board protec!-tion ot acta done in good faith la, no • uit or other legal proceeding hall lie against the national -daj,y development board or any director or any officer or other employee of the board or any other person authorised by the board to discharge any functions under this act, for any loss or damage caused or likely , to be caused by anything which is in good faith done or intended to be f1iaae ',in pursuance of this act or of any other law or provision having tile force of law indemnity-of directors :si ,every director shall be indemnified by the national dairy development board against all losses and expenses incurred by him, in, or in 10 relation to, the discharge of his duties, except such as are caused by his own wilful act or default 35 (1) the board shall not, except as otherwise required by this act ebliaa tion  to fidelity and aecrecy  qr any other law, divulge any information relating to, or to the affairs of, the national dairy development board· or of the society or of the is dijlolved company except in circumstances in which it is in accordance with the law or practice and usage customary among financial institutions, necessary or appropriate for the board to divulge such information (2) every director, member of a committee, auditor or officer or other employee of the national dairy development board shall, before 20 entering upon his duties, make a declaration of fidelity and secrecy in the form set out in the schedule 36 nothing contained in chapter v shall be deemed to prejudice the right of the national dairy development board to create such ~dumber of additional posts or to appoint such number of additional redruit· ment of additionalofr-cera and other employee 2s'afil~rs or other employees as it may consider necessary or desirable __ the efticient discharge of the functions of the national dairy development board and where any such officer or other employee is appointed, the terms and conditions of service, including inter se seniority may also be determined by the board 30 37 no provision of any law relating to the winding up of companies or corporations shall apply to the national dairy development board and it shall not be placed in liquidation save by an' order of the central government and in such manner as it may direct liiquida-, tion only under orders of central gomrnmeat deleptfod of certain powers by central govern ment '18 ~l) the central government may, on the recommendation of the 3s national dairy development board, if satisfied that it is necessary so to do in the public interest, make any scheme for the purpose of enabling 11:aenational dairy development board to undertake and perfonn any of the activities or functions of the central government relatable to dairy, foodstuffs and connected industries, particularly with reference 4o'to matters related to the development of the national milk -rid by the regulation of the production, procurement, marketing, export-,import, maintenance of standards or such like activities (including the collection and compilation of statistics and relevant data) (2) every scheme made under sub-section (1) shall be published sa the official gazette and may contain such conditions, restrictions or llml· tations as the central government may deem fit to impose 39 any auditor appointed in relation to the society or the dissolved company, functioning immediately before the appointed day, may not-5 withstanding anything contained in this act, be continued by the national dairy development board for such period and on such terms as may be considered jlecessary transitional provisions for auditors 40 the chairman of the society holding office immediately before 10 the appointed day, shall be the chairman of the national dairy development board until a chairman is nominated in accordance with the provisions of this act and he shall be competent to "perform the functions of the board until the constitution of the board under this act transitional proviaionawith regard to chairman and board 41 for the removal of doubts, it is hereby declared that where, before the appointed day, either the society or the dissolved company was 15 managing any other organisation or rendering any technical or other assistance to any organisation or person, the national dairy development board may continue to render the same or similar service to such extent, for such period and with such modifications as the board may deem fit management or assistance to others to continue 42 the undertaking known as the mother dairy, delhi, shall, on and 20 from the appointed day, become a subsidiary unit of the national dairy , development board but shall retain its separate character, unless otherwise decided by the board mother dairy to bea lubsidiary unit of national dairy development board 43 (1) where the board considers it necessary so to do, for the imp1e- 25 mentation of any of its objectives, it may subject to the previous approval of the central government, form one or more companies either by itself or in conjunction with any of its subsidiaries or with any other undertaking (2) where any company has been formed in pursuance of sub-section (1)-30 formation of companiea with previous approval of central oovem ment (a) in the case of a company formed by the board by itself or: along with its subsidiaries" it may contribute such capital, transfer such of its assets or render such assistance, as may be required, so ii to enable the company so formed to function; and : ( (b) in any other case, it may contribute capital, transfer asset , " or render assistance in such manner and to such extent as th~ board may deem fit subject to specific previous approval of the central government in that regard , " notwithstanding anything contained in the income-tax act, 1961 a otll'l exemp--tion from tax on income or, any other enactment for the time being in force relating to tax on income, profits or gains, the national dairy development board shall not f be liable to pay income-tax or any other tax in respect of its income, profits or gains derived 10 r&tums 45 the- national dairy development board shall furnish, from time to time, to the central government such returns as the central government may require 48 any scheme or regulation made under this act in relation to conditions of service or like matters of officers or other employees of the 15 national dairy development board, may be made retrospectively from any date not earlier than the appointed day power to make scheme, and regulations regarding service , matter;  retrospectively  1401 1m, act to have oyerriding effect 47 the provisions of this act shall have effect notwithstanding anything inconsistent therewith contained in the companies act, tlhe industrial disputes act, 1947 or any other law for the time being in force 20 or in any instrument having effect by virtue of any law other than this act" or in any decree or order of any court, tribunal or other authority 48 (1) the board may, by notification in the gazette of india make regulations not inconsistent with the 'provisions of this act and the schemes made thereunder, to provide for all matters for which provision ilt 2s necessary or expedient for the purpose of giving effect to the provisions power to make regulations of this act (2) in particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the fore· going power, such regulations may provide for all or any of the following 'matters, namely:-30 i (a) the procedure to be followed for the transaction of business at the meetings of the board and the number of members which shall fonn quorum at a meeting under sub-section (1) of section 10; 3s (b) the allowances to be paid to the members of any management committee, other than the chairman and whole-time directors, for attending the meetings of the management committee or for attending to any other work of the national dairy development board under sub-section (1) of section 13 and the other matters pertaining to the conduct of proceedings of the management committees under sub-section (2) of that section; 40  (e) the higher of grade for the purposes of clause (a) of sec--uon 15; (d) the particulars of the steps for the advancement i of _ health, education at' other interests of the officers and other empta, or their families as referred to in sub-eection (4) of seetiml 21; (e) the matters of detail regarding establishment or main- tenance of funds referred to in sub-section (5) of section 22;" $1 (f) the conditions subject to which sums of money are te be deposited under sub-section (2) of section 26; (g) the form and manner in which the balance sheet  accounts of the national dairy development board shall be prepared under sub-section (1) of section 27; to (h) the procedure for making an application waderau'b e et' (1) of section 31 and for the disposal thereof under sub-section (2) of that section; (i) conditions of service of officers and other employees; (j) any other matter which is to be, or may be, prescribed u 49 (1) if any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of this act, the central government may, by order, published in the oftlclal gazette, make such provisions not inconsistent with the provisions of this act as may appear to be necessary for removing the difficulty: power toremove ~ culti • provided that no such order shall be made after the expiry of ave 20 years from the appointed day i (2) every order made under this section shall be laid, jis sodnu mat, be after it is made, before each house of parliament scheme, and - regulations to be laid before parliament 5() every scheme and every regulation made under this act shall be laid, as soon as may be af~ it is made, before each house of parliameat, while it is in session, for a total period of thirty days which may 'bar2s comprised in one session or in two or more successive sessions, add 14, before the expiry of the session immediately following the session or the successive sessions aforesaid, both houses agree in making any modulo-· tion ill the scheme or regulation or both houses agree that the scheme 30 or regulation should not be made, the scheme or regulatian 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 shbdj be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously dade under thai scheme or regulation 3, 4 u  the schedule [see section 35(2)] declnrcltimt oj fidelity lind secrecyi, , do hereby declare that i will faithfully" truly, ad to the best of my skul and ability execute and perform the dutie$r~~ of me as chairman, director, member of committee, auditor, officer or other employee (as the case may be) of the national dairy development board and which properly relate to the office or position held by me in or in relation to the national dairy development board s i further declare that i will not communicate or allow to be communicated to any person not legally entitled thereto any information relating to the affairs of any person having any dealing with the national dairy development board nor will i allow any such person to inspect or have access to any books or documents belonging to or in the possession of 10 the national dairy development board and relating to the business of the national dairy development board or the business of any person having any dealing with the national dairy development board signed before me (signlat-ure)  statement of objects and reasonsthe national dairy development board (nddb) was set up in 199 by the government of india as a registered society with the primary objective for providing technical services to implementing agencies in building up their dairy projects on co-operative lines on the pattern of the kaira district co-operative milk producers' union limited, anand, popularly known as tlie 'anand pattern' the national dairy development board has since beell progressively playing a wider role together with the indian dairy corporation which is a company formed in 1~7~ to give supportive assistance in the implementation of the operation flood programme 2: the central government had appointed a committee-commonly 1m own as the jha committee-which had recommended the formation of a body corporate to perform the functions of both these institutions taking care to ensure that the autonomy and freedom and flexibility presently enjoyed by the national dairy development board is not adv~rsely affected thereby 3 to achieve the above, it is proposed to declare the national dairy development board as an institution of national importance and incorporate it as a statutory body: with the enlargement of functions of the national dairy development board over the years, it is felt that the functions of both the institutions can henceforth be performed by the corporate body and as such it is proposed to vest the undertakings of the indian dairy corporation in the body corporate and dissolve the indian dairy corporation 4 the name of the national dairy development board is retained for the corporate body so that there may be a continuity in reputation and understanding both in india and abroad provisions have been in('luded in the bill to ensure that the body corporate is able to carry on all the functions that they are discharging at present and play an enlarged and vital role with regard to milk, milk products and other commodities with which it is concerned or in respect of which the govern  ment deems it necessary to involve i;hem 5- the ibill also makes provtllton for better administration of the body corporate including the constitution caf the fund, provision for accounts, audit, etc  6 the notes on clauses explain in detail the provisions of the 19i1l 7 the bill seeks to achieve the above objectives new delm; the 17th august, 1987 g 5 dhillon  president's recommenda non under article 117 and 274 of the constitution of indiarcopy of letter no 17-24/87-ld i dated 17 august, 1987 from shrl g s dhillon, minister of agriculture to the secretary-general lok sabhaj • ',~,"'\ the president, having been informed of the subject matter of the proposed bill recommends under clauses (]) and (3) of article 117 re~d with article 274 of the constitution of indio, the introduction and constderntiot" of the national dairy development board bill, 1987, in lok sahha  notes on clausesclause 2 'seeks to declare the existing national dairy development board as an institution of national importance clause 3 seeks to define certain words and expressions used in the bill ,clause 4 provides for the incorporati6n of the existing national dairy development board and the corporate body is to be known by the same name clause 5 provides for the simultaneous vesting of the indian dairy, , corporation in the national dairy development board and for itl' dis-olution clause 6 provides for the transfer of assets, liabilities and activities of the existing national dairy development board and of the dissolved company to the body corporate clause 7 provides for the saving of legal proceed~gs clause 8 provides for the management of the national dairy development board and the composition of board of directors clause 9 provides for the terms of office and conditions of service, etc, of chairman and directors clauses 10 and 11 make provisions regarding meetings of the board and the manner of transaction of business clause 12 provides for the c(lnstitution of management committees of the national dairy development board clauses 13, 14 and 15, provide for the allowances etc of management committee members and delegation of powers by the board to management committees, co-operative federations whole-time directors, etc cl~ 16 provides for the powers and functions of the national " dairy development board apart from enabling it to carry on the ~xisting and enlarged functions, provision is made enabling the central government or the government of any state to entrust the national dairy development board with any activity if, having regard to expertise of the nationall)airy development board, it considers it necessary so to do cf4tue 17 provides that the members etc of the existing national dairy development board and dissolved company win cease to hold oftice ' ~ clauses 18 and 19 provide that the existing full-time officers and other employees will continue in the national dairy development board subject , tofts restructuring and' stremlining under clause 19 clause 20 provides for framing of schemes to' safeguard monetary inte,rest of the officers and· other employees who may be declared ' as ·ndiiildant clause 21 makes it clear that no compensation shall be payable under  the industrial disputes act, 1947 or any other law by reason of the transfer of any officer or other employee to the incorporated national dairy development board clause 22 makes provisions regarding provident fund, gratuity, welfare and other funds clause 23 empowers the board to borrow money after obtaining previous approval from the central government clause 24 is intended to enable the central government to make grants or loans to the national dairy development board in case it becomes necessary c,j,ause 2s enables the national dairy development board to receive gifts, grants, donations, etc, and stipulates that where it is from any source outside india, previous approval of the central government should be obtained ~ clause 26 provides for the fund of the national dairy development board to be called the national dairy development board fund clauses 27, 28 and 29 make the usual provisions regarding preparation of balance-sheet and accounts by the board and for its audit the appointment of auditors and the remuneration payable to them shall be subject to approval of the govemment and copies of their reports have to be forwarded to the central government the auditor's reports are to be laid before both houses of parliament ' clauses 30 and 31 provide for recall of loans and enforcement of claims in certain situations where the interest of the, national dairy development board would otherwise be adversely affected cla1l8e 32 provides that the defects in any appointment shall not invalidate actions taken by the board or by any committee thereof cla'uses 33 and 34 are the usual provisions to protect directors and employees in cases where they act in good faith, directors are also provided indemnity against losses and expenses 1n u1e diacharge of their duties ) clatlbe 35 imposes obligation as to fidelity and secrecy clause 36 provides for the recruitment of additional officer and other employees, clause 37 provides that the national dairy development board can be placed in liquida~ion only by th~ central government clause 38 provides for the delegation of certain powers ot the central government relating to dairy, foodstuffs and connectec:l industries, to the board ·where the public interest so requires clause 39 enables the existing auditors for the completion of their work in respect of the organisations in relation to which they were functionini· clame 40 is transitional provision to enable the chairman of the existing national dairy development board to continue until freih appointment undel· the act is made clause 41 enables the national dairy _development board to continue assistance which the two institutions were earlier rendering clause 42 provides that the mother dairy shall be a subsidiary unit of the national dairy development board with separate identity clause 43 provides for the formation of new companies' with the approval of the central government· clause 44 provides for exemption from tax on income of the national dairy development board c7,ause 45 provides for returns to be furnished to the central government ! - clause 46 provides for the making of regulations and schemes regarding service conditions of officers and other employees with retrospective effect clause 47 is the general overriding clause c14use 48 deals with powers of the board to make regulations in particular about matters that are spelt out therein clause 49 empowers the central government to make orden forremoving difficulties and it is restricted to five years every such order shall be laid before both houses of parliament; clause 50 provides that all regulations and schemes shall be laid before both houses of parliament the schedule contains the form of declaration of fidelity and secrecy to be made by all directors, officers and other employees  financial memorannumthe national dairy development board whieh is a society registered under the societies registration act has been functioning on a: nationwide basis together with the indian dairy corporation which was formed to playa supplementary role to it in the bill, it is proposed to declare the national dairy development board as an institution of national importance  iutd make it into a body corporate so as to enable it to take over both the undertakings and perform their functions the national dairy develop-_ meni board (together with the indian dairy corporation) hai been functioning successfully by generating their own funds right from its inception 2 under the above circumstances, it is not expected that the body corporate will require any financing from the central government however, clause 20 indicates that full-time officers or other employees dec1ared as redundant in pursuance of clause 19, shall be dealt with in , 'accordance with such scheme or schemes as the board may, with the previous approval of the central government, frame to provide for the qua~tum of compensation ;payable to them at this stage, it is nct  'p~ible to make a precise estimate of the expenditure involved on this , account as this would depend on the final shape of the new organisation similarly, clause 24 makes the usual provision enabling the central ' -guvernment ·to-make grants or loans to the national dairy development board after due appropriation 3 in view of the above, the bill, if enacted and brought int6- operation, is not likely to involve any expenditure from the consolidated fund of india, whether recurring or non-recurring  - "t-_ 'i f clause 20 of the bill empowers the national dairy development board to make, with the previous approval of the central government, scheme or schemes regarding officers or other employees of the board declared as redundant such scheme or schemes may provide for the quantum ot compensation to such officers and other employees and for other connected matters including the provisions for appeal for the aggrieved redundant employees clause 38 empowers the central government to make any scheme under certain circumstances for the purpose of enabling the national dairy development board to undertake and perform certain activities and functions relatable to dairy, foodstuffs and connected industries clause 48 of the bill empowers the board to make regulationc;, not inconsistent with the provisions of the bill and the schemes made thereunder, to provide for all such residuary matters 'for which provision is expedient for giving effect to the provisions of the proposed legislation the matters in respect of which such regulations may, in particular, be made have been enumerated in sub-clause (2) of clause 48 of the bill under clause 46, any scheme or regulation in respect of service conditions could operate retrospectively, but not earlier than the' date of commencement of the act 2 clause 49 of the bill empowers the central government to remove by order any difficulty which may arise in giving effect to the provisions of tlhe legislation this is by way of abundant caution and for covering difficulties which it is not practicable to visualise i~ has, however, been' provided that no such order shall be made after the expiry of a period of five years from the date of incorporation of the national dairy development board a copy of the order is also to be laid before each house of parliament 3 provision has also been made i~ clause 50 of the bill for the laying of the schemes and regulations made under the act before both houses of parliament i 4 the matters in respect of which-such schemes and regulation!! may be made pertain to matters of procedure or administrative detail the delegation of legislative power is, therefore, of a normal character,  abill to declare the institution known as the national dairy development board in the state of gujarat to be an institution of national importance and to provide for its incorporation and for the vesting in that body corporate of the undertakings of th~ indian dairy corporation with a view to provide for the administration and the carrying on of the functions to be performed by the body corporate more eftectiyely throughout the country and for mattei'$ <:onnected therewith and incidental thereto  (shri g s dhillon minister of a9ric141ture) 