Section 21 of The National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Act, 2020
- (1)The President and Members of each Autonomous Board shall hold the office for a term not exceeding four years and shall not be eligible for any extension or re-appointment: Provided that such person shall cease to hold office after attaining the age of seventy years.
- (2)The salary and allowances payable to, and other terms and conditions of service of, the President and Members of an Autonomous Boards shall be such as may be prescribed.
- (3)The provisions contained in sub-sections (3), (5), (6), (7) and (8) of section 6 relating to the terms and conditions of service of, and in section 7 relating to removal from office, the Chairperson and Members of the Commission shall also be applicable to the President and Members of the Autonomous Boards.
Summary
- Presidents and board members serve for a term of up to four years.
- Once a person finishes their four-year term, they cannot be appointed again or get an extension.
- There is a strict age limit, all board members must leave their positions once they reach seventy years of age.
- Board members have the same rules for removal as the Commission members, including grounds like being declared of unsound mind or being convicted of an offense.
- If a member misses three ordinary meetings in a row without a good reason, they are considered to have given up their seat.
- After leaving the board, a person cannot work for a private medical institution they dealt with for at least two years, unless they get special permission.
Practical examples
FAQ
1. Can a board member serve two terms back to back?
No, the Act specifically says they are not eligible for any extension or re-appointment after their four-year term ends.
2. What happens if a board member wants to quit early?
They can resign by giving at least three months' notice in writing to the Central Government.
3. Are board members required to disclose what they own?
Yes, they must declare their assets and liabilities when they start the job and again when they leave.
4. Can the government remove a board member for bad behavior?
Yes, the government can remove them for several reasons, including abuse of their position or being convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude.
5. Is there any exception to the rule against working for a private college after leaving?
Yes, the Central Government can give permission for such employment, and the rule does not apply to government-run institutions.
Test yourself
Q1.Under Section 21 of The National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Act, 2020, what is the maximum term a President of an Autonomous Board can serve?
Q2.Under Section 21 of The National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Act, 2020, at what age must a board member stop holding office regardless of their term?
Q3.Under the rules applied by Section 21 of The National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Act, 2020, how many consecutive meetings can a member miss before they are deemed to have vacated their seat?
Q4.Under Section 21 of The National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Act, 2020, what is the standard "cooling-off" period before a former member can work for a private medical institution?