*[20F. Constitution of National Monuments Authority. - (1) The Central Government shall, by notification in the Official Gazette, constitute an Authority to be called as the National Monuments Authority.
(2) The Authority shall consist of,--
(a) a Chairperson, on whole-time basis, to be appointed by the President, having proven experience and expertise in the fields of archaeology, country and town planning, architecture, heritage, conservation-architecture or law;
(b) such number of members not exceeding five whole-time members and five part-time members to be appointed, on the recommendation of the Selection Committee referred to in section 20G, by the Central Government, having proven experience and expertise in the fields of archaeology, country and town planning, architecture, heritage, conservation-architecture or law;
(c) the Director-General as member, ex officio.
(3) The tenure of the whole-time Chairperson or every whole-time member and every part-time member, of the Authority shall be three years from the date on which he assumes office as such and shall not be eligible for re-appointment:
Provided that, save as otherwise provided in clause (c) of sub-section (2), any person who has held any post in the Archaeological Survey of India or in the Ministry of Culture of the Government of India or a State Government or has not been found fit to be considered for being appointed to any such post shall, not be eligible to be appointed as the Chairperson or a member of the Authority:
Provided further that any person, who had either been granted a permission or licence or refused any such permission or refused grant of a licence or any person or any of his relative having any interest in a prohibited area or a regulated area shall not be eligible to be appointed as a Chairperson or member.
Explanation.--For the purposes of this section, "relative" means--
(i) spouse of the Chairperson or member of the Authority; (ii) brother or sister of the Chairperson or member of the Authority; (iii) brother or sister of the spouse of the Chairperson or member of the Authority; (iv) brother or sister of either of the parents of the Chairperson or member of the Authority;
(v) any lineal ascendant or descendant of the Chairperson or member of
the Authority;
(vi) any lineal ascendant or descendant of the spouse of the Chairperson or member of the Authority; (vii) spouse of the person referred to in clauses (ii) to (vi);
(4) An officer, not below the rank of Joint Secretary to the Government of India, shall be the Member Secretary of the Authority.
(5) The Central Government shall provide such number of officers and other employees as may be necessary for discharge of functions by the Authority under this Act.]
[*Inserted vide Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment and Validation) Act, 2010]
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