Section 23 of The Indian Institutes of Information Technology (Public-private Partnership) Act, 2017
- (1)The Director shall be the principal executive officer of the Institute and shall be responsible for implementation of the decisions of the Board and Senate and for day-to-day administration of the Institute.
- (2)The Director shall be appointed by the Visitor, on such terms and conditions of service as may be laid down by the Statutes.
- (3)The Director shall be appointed out of the panel of names recommended by a search-cumselection committee consisting of—
- (a)Chairperson of the Board, who shall be the Chairperson of the search-cum-selection committee;
- (b)two members, nominated by the Board, from amongst eminent administrators, industrialists, educationists, scientists, technocrats and management specialists;
- (c)nominee of the State Government in which the Institute is located;
- (d)nominee of one of the industry partners by rotation;
- (e)head of the Bureau, Ministry of Human Resource Development dealing with Indian Institutes of Information Technology—Member Secretary, ex officio;
- (4)The Director shall exercise the powers and perform the duties as may be assigned under this Act or the Statutes or Ordinances, or as may be delegated by the Board.
- (5)The Director shall, except on account of resignation or removal, hold office for a period of five years from the date of assumption of charge as Director.
- (6)The Director may, by writing under his hand addressed to the Chairperson, resign his office.
- (7)The Visitor may remove from office the Director, who—
- (a)has been adjudged as insolvent; or
- (b)has been convicted of an offence which, in the opinion of the Visitor, involves moral turpitude; or
- (c)has become physically or mentally incapable of acting as a Director; or
- (d)has acquired such financial or other interest as is likely to affect prejudicially the functions as a Director; or
- (e)has so abused the position or so conducted as to render the continuance in office prejudicial to the public interest: Provided that the Director shall not be removed from office except by an order made by the Visitor, after an enquiry instituted by the Board, in which the Director has been informed of the charges and given a reasonable opportunity of being heard in respect of those charges.
- (8)The Board shall initiate the process of appointment in respect of any vacancy due to arise for the post of Director on completion of tenure before a period of six months from the date of arising of such vacancy and that the process of appointment shall be completed before such vacancy arises.
- (9)Where the post of Director falls vacant on account of any reason other than completion of tenure, the process of appointment shall be initiated by the Board within one month of such vacancy and process shall be completed as early as possible.
Summary
- The Director is the main executive officer in charge of the daily running of the Institute and putting Board and Senate decisions into action.
- The Director is appointed by the Visitor for a five-year term, based on a list provided by a special search committee.
- The Visitor can remove the Director early for serious issues like committing a crime, bankruptcy, or abusing their power, but only after the Board holds an inquiry to hear the Director's side.
- To avoid empty seats, the Board must start looking for a new Director six months before the current one's term ends.
Practical examples
FAQ
1. Who runs the Institute on a daily basis?
The Director is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the Institute.
2. How long does a Director serve?
The Director holds office for a period of five years from the date they assume charge.
3. Can a Director be fired without a chance to defend themselves?
No, the Director can only be removed after an enquiry instituted by the Board where they are informed of the charges and given a reasonable opportunity to be heard.
4. Who makes the final decision to hire the Director?
The Director is appointed by the Visitor from a panel of names recommended by a selection committee.
Test yourself
Q1.Under Section 23 of The Indian Institutes of Information Technology (Public-private Partnership) Act, 2017, what is the standard term of office for the Director?
Q2.Under Section 23 of The Indian Institutes of Information Technology (Public-private Partnership) Act, 2017, who holds the authority to officially appoint the Director of the Institute?
Q3.Under Section 23 of The Indian Institutes of Information Technology (Public-private Partnership) Act, 2017, if the Director is accused of abusing their position, what procedural safeguard exists before the Visitor can remove them?
Q4.Under Section 23 of The Indian Institutes of Information Technology (Public-private Partnership) Act, 2017, when must the Board initiate the process of appointing a new Director if the current Director's five-year term is ending normally?
Q5.Under Section 23 of The Indian Institutes of Information Technology (Public-private Partnership) Act, 2017, read with Section 18, what is the Director's relationship to the Senate?