The Assam Veterinary and Fishery University Act, 2024

(1) This Act may be called the Assam Veterinary and Fishery University Act, 2024. (2) It extends to the whole of the State of Assam. (3) It shall come into force at once.

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires, (a) "Academic Council" means the Academic Council of the University established under section 27; (b) "animal or livestock", means all domesticated mammals, birds, fishes, wildlife, captive and zoo animals, reptiles and amphibians and all other animal forms; (c) "Board" means the Board of Management of the University as constituted under section 24; (d) "college" means any college or institution established or maintained by or affiliated to the University for providing courses of study or training or providing for pursuance of research or providing extension education in veterinary, animals, fisheries and allied sciences; (e) "constituent college" means a College, specified in Schedule I and is under the direct management of the University; (f) "Dean" means the Dean of each Faculty; (g) "extension education" means the educational activities concerned with training of farmers and home makers, and other groups serving veterinary, animal, fishery and dairy sciences including dissemination of application of results of research and various phases of scientific technology related to animal, fishery and dairy production and marketing. (h) "Faculty" means Faculty of the University; (i) "Government" means the Government of the State of Assam; (j) "hostel" means a unit of residence for students of the University maintained or recognized by the University either as a part or separate from a college or institution; (k) "Officer" means an officer of the University as specified in section 8 of this Act or other persons in the employment of the University designated as officers by the Statutes; (l) "prescribed" means prescribed by the Statutes and Regulations and Rules made under this Act; (m) "Regulations" and "Statutes" "Rules" means the regulations and statutes respectively made under this Act; (n) "Schedule" means Schedule appended to this Act; (o) "student of the university" means a person enrolled in the University for taking a course of study for a degree, diploma, certificate or other academic distinction duly instituted; (p) "teacher" means Professors, Associate Professors or Assistant Professors and such other person appointed or recognized by the University for the purpose of imparting instructions and/or conducting and guiding research and/or extension programmes and may include any other person who may be declared by the statute to be a teacher; (q) "University" means the Assam Veterinary and Fishery University; (r) "Veterinary and Fisheries Sciences" means, (i) the science and technology of diagnosis, treatment and control of diseases of animals and fishes and other aquatic animals and includes basic veterinary and fishery sciences, (ii) Animal husbandry, meat, dairying and fisheries management technology including biotechnology, advanced sciences and practices relating thereto, (iii) Allied Sciences that are relevant to and supportive to veterinary, animal husbandry, dairy and fishery sectors.

(1) The Chancellor, the Vice Chancellor, and the Academic Council so long as they continue to hold such office or membership shall constitute a body corporate by the name "The Assam Veterinary and Fishery University." (2) The University shall be a body corporate having perpetual succession and a common seal and shall sue and be sued by the said name. (3) The headquarter of the University shall be located at Khanapara, Guwahati. (4) The University shall be competent to acquire and hold property both movable and immovable, to lease, sell or otherwise transfer any movable or immovable property which may have become vested in or have been acquired by it for the purpose of the University.

The University shall have the following objects, namely:- (a) to impart education in different branches of Veterinary, animal, dairy, fishery and allied sciences as the University may determine. (b) to further the advancement of learning and pursuance of research in veterinary, animal, fisheries and allied sciences. (c) to undertake the extension of such sciences to the rural farming people in co-operation with the concerned Government Departments, Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) and such other body or bodies as the University may determine from time to time. (d) to collaborate with national and international institutions for advancement of technology and education in veterinary, animal and fishery sciences, research and extension including teachers and students exchange programmes, dual degree programmes etc. (e) to open Diploma and Certificate courses in the identified fields as and when needed.

The University shall have the following powers and functions, namely:- (a) to provide instructions, training and research in veterinary, animal, dairy, fishery and allied sciences; (b) to provide for dissemination of the findings of research and technical information through extension education; (c) to institute degrees, diplomas and other academic distinctions in veterinary, animal, dairy, fishery and allied sciences; (d) to hold examinations and to confer degrees, diplomas and other academic distinctions on persons who have- (i) pursued a prescribed course of study; or (ii) carried out research in the University under the conditions as prescribed in the statutes; (e) to confer honorary degrees or order distinctions in the manner and under conditions prescribed by the statutes; (f) to provide for lectures, instructions and consultancy for field workers, livestock farmers and other persons not enrolled as regular students of the University and to issue certificates to them, if necessary; (g) to co-operate with other universities and authorities in such manner and for such purposes as it may determine; (h) to establish and maintain colleges and institutions relating to veterinary, animal, dairy, fishery and allied sciences; (i) to affiliate colleges to the University under such conditions as may be prescribed and to withdraw affiliation to colleges; (j) to establish and maintain laboratories, libraries, research stations and museums for teaching, research and extension education purposes; (k) to institute teaching, research and extension education posts and to appoint persons to such posts; (l) to create administrative and other posts and to appoint persons to such posts; (m) to institute and award fellowships, scholarship, studentships, traineeship, bursaries, medals and prizes in accordance with the statutes; (n) to establish and maintain hostels, to recognize hostels not maintained by the University and to withdraw recognition there from; (o) to establish and maintain residential accommodation for the employees of the University; (p) to fix, demand and receive such fees and other charges as may be prescribed; (q) to supervise and control hostels and to regulate and enforce discipline among the students of the University and to make arrangements for promoting their health and welfare; (r) to provide guidance and technical support to concerned Government department(s) to promote veterinary, animal husbandry, dairying, fisheries sectors and any allied sector(s) as may be determined, and to preserve and upgrade environment, wildlife and zoo animals in the state; and

(s) to do all such acts and things whether incidental to the powers mentioned above or as may be necessary or desirable to further the objects of the University.

With respect to teaching, research and extension education programmes in the field of veterinary, animal, dairy, fishery and allied sciences the jurisdiction and responsibility of the University shall extend to the entire State of Assam.

(1) The University shall be open to all persons or either sex, and whatever creed, caste or class. It shall not be lawful for the University to adopt or impose on any person any test whatsoever of religious belief or profession to entitle him to be admitted to it as a teacher or as a student or to hold any office therein, or to graduate or to enjoy or exercise any particular benefaction accepted by the University, where such test is made a condition thereof by any testamentary or other instrument creating such benefaction.

(2) Subject to the above provisions, the State Government may direct that the University shall reserve Colleges seats for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other Backward Classes, physically handicapped as defined in persons with Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 of the state or candidates from other state Government.

The following shall be the officers of the University, namely:- (1) The Chancellor; (2) The Vice-Chancellor; (3) The Registrar; (4) The Controller of Examination; (5) The Deans of Faculties; (6) The Associate Deans of Colleges; (7) The Director of Research; (8) The Director of Post Graduate Studies; (9) The Librarian; (10) Director Extension Education; (11) Director Students Welfare; (12) Director Physical Plant; (13) The Financial Officer; (14) Such other persons in the service of the University as may be declared by the statutes to be the officers of the University.

(1) The Governor of the state of Assam by virtue of his office shall be the Chancellor of the University;

(2) The Chancellor shall be the head of the University and shall when present, preside at any convocation of the University and confer degrees, diplomas or other academic distinctions upon persons entitled to receive;

(1) The Chancellor shall have the power to cause an inspection, by himself or by such person or persons as he may direct, the properties of the University, its buildings, laboratories and equipment and Colleges or Institutions or Centres maintained by the University and also of the examinations, teaching and other works conducted or done by the University and to cause an enquiry to be made in like manner in respect of any matter connected with the University.

(2) The Chancellor may of his own motion or on application call for and examine the record of any other officer or authority of the University in respect of any proceeding to satisfy himself as to the regularity or propriety of any decision taken or order made therein if in any case, it appears to the Chancellor that any such decision should be modified, annulled, reversed or remitted for reconsideration, he may pass orders accordingly:

Provided that every application to the Chancellor for exercise of the powers under this section shall be preferred within three months from the date on which the proceeding, decision or order to which the application relates was communicated to the applicant:

Provided further that no order prejudicial to any person shall be passed unless such person has been given an opportunity of making his representation.

(3) The Chancellor shall have the right under extraordinary circumstances like unprecedented disturbance in the university due to strike, desire of the Board of management for specific enquiry etc., to cause an inspection to be made by such person as he may direct, of the University, its buildings, laboratories, libraries, farms, museums, workshops and equipment and any institution, college or hostel maintained or administered by the University, of the teaching and other works conducted by the University or under its auspices and of the conduct of any other functions including all matters connected with the administration and finance of the University;

(4) The Chancellor shall, in every case, give due notice to the University of his intention to cause an inspection or inquiry to be made and the University shall be entitled to appoint a representative who shall have the right to be present and be heard at such inspection or inquiry;

(5) The Chancellor shall communicate to the University the views of the State Government with reference to the results of such inspection or inquiry and may after ascertaining the opinion thereon of the University, advise the University upon the action to be taken and fix a time limit for taking such actions;

(6) The University shall within the time limit so fixed, report to the Chancellor the action which has been taken or is proposed to be taken on the advice so rendered;

(7) The Chancellor may, where action has not been taken by the University to the satisfaction of the Chancellor within the time limit fixed and after considering any explanation furnished or representation made by the University, issue such directions as the Chancellor may think fit and the University shall comply with such directions;

(8) Notwithstanding anything contained in the preceding sub-sections of this section if at any time the Chancellor is of the opinion that in any manner the affairs of the University are not managed in furtherance of the objects of the University, or in accordance with the provision of this Act, and the statutory regulations or the special measures desirable to maintain the standards of University teaching, examination, research or extension he may indicate to the University any matter in regard to which he desires an explanation, and call upon the University to offer such explanations within such time as may be specified by the Chancellor.

If the University fails to offer any explanation within the time specified or offers an explanation which, in the opinion of the chancellor, is unsatisfactory, the Chancellor may issue such instruction as appeared to him to be necessary and desirable in the circumstances of the case, and may exercise such powers as may be necessary for giving effect to these instructions.

(9) The University shall furnish such information relating to the administration of the University as the Chancellor may require.

(1) Appointment of the Vice-Chancellor shall be made by the Chancellor from out of a panel of three names of eminent persons in the field of veterinary and animal, dairy and fishery science as recommended by the Committee referred to in sub-section (2) and such panel shall not contain the name of any member of the said Committee,

(2) State Government shall constitute the Committee under sub-section (1) which shall consists of three persons, one to be nominated by the Government, one by the Board and one by the Director General of, Indian Council of Agricultural Research.

(3) The Committee shall submit to the State Government a panel of three persons who are eminent academician in alphabetical order and shall forward the panel to the Chancellor who shall keeping n the view of merit, equality and social justice appoint one person from the panel as the Vice Chancellor.

(4) The Vice-Chancellor shall be a fulltime officer of the University who shall hold office for a period of five years and shall be eligible for reappointment for a further term:

Provided that no person shall hold the office of the Vice-Chancellor for more than ten years in aggregate:

Provided further that -

(a) the Chancellor may direct that a Vice-Chancellor, whose term of office has expired shall continue in office for such period not exceeding a total period of two years as may be specified in the direction;

(b) In case a Vice-Chancellor submits his resignation, the resultant vacancy shall be filled up according to the laid down procedures under sub-section (1) and (2) within a period not exceeding six months from the date of acceptance of the resignation of the Vice-Chancellor by the Chancellor:

Provided also that a person appointed as Vice-Chancellor shall retire from office if, during the term of his office or any extension thereof until attains the age of 70 years.

(5) During the temporary absence of the Vice-Chancellor or if the Vice-Chancellor is, by reason of illness, absence or for any other reason, the senior most of the Deans of the Faculties shall exercise the powers and perform the duties of the Vice-Chancellor to be in rule and shall the power and shall be entitled to all the privileges of the Vice-Chancellor and to such emoluments and allowances as may be prescribed in the statutes.

(6) The Vice-Chancellor shall receive such emoluments as may be determined by the Chancellor and other terms and conditions of his service shall be as may be prescribed in rules which may be revised from time to time.

(1) The Vice-Chancellor shall be the principal executive and academic officer of the University and shall in the absence of the Chancellor preside at any convocation of the University and confer degrees, diploma or other academic distinctions upon persons entitled to receive them. He shall be a member and ex-officio Chairman of the Board, the Academic Council and the Finance Committee and shall be entitled to be present at and to address, any meeting of any authority of the University but shall not be entitled to vote thereat, unless he is a member of the authority concerned.

(2) The Vice-Chancellor shall exercise control over the affairs of the University and shall be responsible for the due maintenance of the discipline in the University.

(3) The Vice-Chancellor shall convene meetings of the Board and the Academic Council.

(4) The Vice-Chancellor shall ensure that the provisions of this Act, the statutes and regulations are observed and carried out and he may exercise all powers necessary for this purpose;

(5) The Vice-Chancellor shall have power to take action on any matter and shall, by order take such action as he may deem necessary but shall, as soon as may be, thereafter report the action taken to the officer or authority or body who or which would have ordinarily dealt with the matter:

Provided that no such order shall be passed unless the person likely to be affected has been given a reasonable opportunity of being heard.

(6) Any person aggrieved by any order of the Vice-Chancellor under sub-section (5) may prefer an appeal to the Board within thirty days from the date on which such order is communicated to him and the Vice-Chancellor shall give effect to the order passed by the Board on such appeal;

(7) The Vice-Chancellor shall be responsible for the co-ordination and integration of teaching, research and extension education and curriculum development of the University;

(8) The Vice-Chancellor shall be responsible to give effect to any order of the Board of Management regarding the appointment, dismissal or suspension of an Official or a teacher of the University or regarding the recognition of any such teacher.

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

The first Vice Chancellor may be appointed by the Chancellor on the recommendation of a search committee by the Government.

(1) The first Vice-Chancellor in the 1st year of his office from the date of appointment or for a period as may be determined by the Chancellor shall have following extraordinary powers:-

(a) Subject to the approval of the Chancellor to make the first statutes to provide for functioning of the University; (b) With the previous approval of the Chancellor to constitute provisional authorities and bodies and on their recommendation make rules for the conduct of work of the University;

(1) The Registrar shall be a whole time salaried officer of the University and shall be appointed by the Vice-Chancellor with the approval of the Board for such terms and conditions as may be prescribed. (2) The Registrar shall be an academician in the field of veterinary, animal, dairy and fisheries not lower in rank than of a Professor; or otherwise shall be decided by Government as deemed fit from time to time. (3) The Registrar shall hold office for a period of five years and shall be eligible for re-appointment for a further period of five years: Provided that a person appointed as Registrar shall retire from office during the term of his office, if he attains the prescribed age of superannuation. (4) The Registrar shall be the ex-officio Member Secretary to the Board and the Academic Council. (5) When any temporary vacancy occurs in the office of the Registrar or when the Registrar is, by reason of illness, or for other reason, in his absence the powers, functions and duties of the office of the Registrar shall be exercised, performed and discharged by such person as the Vice-Chancellor may appoint for the purpose: Provided that such person fulfils the requirements under sub-section (2) of section 14 of this Act. (6) The Registrar shall be the Ex-officio Secretary of the Court Board of Management, Constitution Committee all communications, in general to be addressed to on behalf of the University shall be in the name of the Registrar.

The power and functions of the Registrar shall be the following, namely:- (1) to manage the property (both movable and immovable) and investments of the University including trust; (2) to manage endowed property in accordance with the decision of the Finance Committee and the Board; (3) to sign and verify all appointments, contracts and agreements made on behalf of the university and to act as Secretary in such other committees as may be prescribed by the statutes; (4) to be custodian of records the common seal and such other properties of the University as the Board shall commit to his charge; (5) to represent the University in any Court of Law sign and verify all pleadings, suits and other legal proceedings by or against the University, and all processes in such suits and proceedings shall be issued to and served on the Registrar; (6) to issue all notices convening meetings of the Board of Academic Council and the Board of Examinations, and; (7) to exercise such power and perform such other functions and discharge such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board or the Vice-Chancellor.

(1) The Controller of Examination shall be a full-time salaried officer of the University and shall be appointed by the Vice Chancellor on a full-time basis in such terms and conditions as may be prescribed in the Statute; (2) It shall be the duty of the Controller of Examination to hold various examinations of the University and its constituent and affiliated colleges; (3) The Controller of Examinations shall be the authority to hold examinations and to ensure that the results are declared in time.

(1) Each Faculty shall have a Dean, who shall be a whole time salaried officer of the University, appointed by the Vice-Chancellor with the approval of the Board on such terms and conditions as may be prescribed in the statute. (2) He shall act as the Chairman of the Faculty, and shall act as the administrative head of all the college and institutions under a Faculty. (3) He shall be the Chairman of the Board of Studies of the Faculty. (4) He shall also carry out such powers and functions as may be prescribed in the statute and he shall also shoulder the responsibilities of the Associate Dean of the college where he is stationed, and shall act as the Campus Director.

(1) Each college under a Faculty shall have an Associate Dean, who shall be a whole time salaried officer of the University, appointed by the Vice-Chancellor with the approval of the Board on such terms and conditions as may be prescribed in the statute. (2) The Associate Dean shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as may be prescribed in the statute and ordinances.

(1) The Director of Research, the Director of Extension Education, the Director of Post Graduate Studies, the Director of Students' Welfare, The Director of Physical Plant and the Associate Directors shall be the whole time salaried officers of the University and shall be approved by the Vice-Chancellor with the approval of the Board and such other a terms of three years. (2) The condition of service of all the Directors as mentioned above shall be such as may be prescribed in the statute. (3) The Director of Research, the Director of Extension Education, the Director of Students' Welfare, The Director of Physical Plant and the Associate Directors shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as may be prescribed.

(1) The University shall establish Directorate of Research. The research stations of the University shall be under the control of the Directorate and shall function in such manner and perform such duties as may be prescribed in the statute. (2) The University shall, according to the need establish or reorganize experimental stations for research, both fundamental and applied, at suitable places under the jurisdiction of the University. (3) The University may, at any time close down, curtail or expand either permanently or temporarily any of the research stations of the University as it may consider appropriate.

(1) The University Librarian shall be a whole time salaried officer of the University and shall be appointed by the Vice-Chancellor with the approval of the Board on such terms and conditions as may be prescribed in the statutes. (2) The University Librarian shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as may be prescribed in the statutes.

(1) The Finance Officer shall be a full-time salaried officer of the University and shall be appointed by the Executive Council on a full-term basis. (2) The Finance Officer shall exercise general supervision over the funds of the University and in regard to its financial policy. He shall be responsible for the preparation of the balance sheet at the end of each financial year. (3) Subjects to the control of the Board, he shall manage the investments of the University and be responsible for preparing and presenting the annual estimates and statements of accounts and for proper maintenance of the funds. (4) Subject to the powers of the Board, the Finance Officer shall be responsible for ensuring that all expenditure is incurred for the purposes for which they are generated. (5) The Finance Officer shall exercise such other powers as may be prescribed in the Statutes and the Ordinances. (6) The officer shall be responsible for the auditing of accounts of the University at least once in every year and at interval of not more than fifteen months and the audit shall be done by Comptroller and Auditor General of India: Provided that the Chancellor may, on the recommendation of the Board in the case of a casual vacancy, may ask the Registrar to perform the duties of Finance Officer.

(1) The authorities of the University shall be the (i) Board of Management; (ii) Academic Council; (iii) Board of Studies; (iv) Finance Committee; (v) and such other bodies of the University as may be declared by the statutes to be authorities of the University.

(1) The Board of Management shall have the following members namely:- (a) The Vice-Chancellor-ex-officio Chairman (b) Registrar; Member Secretary (c) Agriculture Production Commissioner, Government of Assam; (d) Secretary to the Government of Assam; and Veterinary Department; (e) Secretary of Panchayat and Rural Development; (f) Secretary to the Department of Finance; (g) Secretary, Department of Fisheries; (h) Secretary, Department of Agriculture; (i) Commissioner or Secretary to the department of Forest; (j) Two members of the Assam Legislative Assembly; (k) One eminent Animal Scientist to be nominated by the Chancellor; (l) One progressive farmer from each of Livestock and Fishery sector to be nominated by the Government; (m) One expert member each to be nominated by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and Veterinary Council of India; (n) The Director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department, Assam; (o) The Director of Fisheries Department, Assam; (p) The Director of Dairy Development Department, Assam; (q) Director Agriculture, Assam; (r) Director, State Zoo, Guwahati, Assam; Other Member: (s) One reputed woman social worker of the State to be nominated by the Government. (t) One teacher representative from each of the faculties. (u) One representative from the Ministry of Food Processing Industry, Government of India with expertise in Animal and Fishery Food Products. (v) One renowned economist or entrepreneur of the State to be nominated by the Government. (2) In case the Commissioner or Secretary to the Government in charge of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Panchayat and Rural Development, Fisheries, Agriculture, Forest, the Finance, or Planning is unable to attend the meetings of the Board of Management, for any reason, he may depute any officer of his department not lower in rank than that of Joint Secretary or Deputy Secretary to the Government to attend the meetings. The officer so deputed shall have the right to take part in the discussions of the meetings and shall have the right to vote.

(1) to make statutes and amend or repeal the statutes; (2) to consider and review the financial requirements and approve the annual financial estimates of the University submitted by Vice-Chancellor; (3) to provide for the administration of any fund placed at the disposal of the University for the purposes intended; (4) to arrange for the investment and withdrawal of funds of the University; (5) to borrow money for the purposes of the University with the approval of the Government on the security of the property of the University and to make suitable agreements for its repayments. (6) to hold control and administer the properties of the University; (7) to determine the form, to provide for the custody and to regulate the use of the common seal of the University; (8) to appoint such committee either standing or temporary as it may consider necessary and specify the terms of reference, thereof subject to the provision of this Act and statutes; (9) to determine and regulate all questions of policy relating to the University in accordance with the provisions of this Act and statutes; (10) to make financial provision for instruction, teaching, research advancement and dissemination of knowledge in such branches of learning and courses of study as may be determined by the Academic Council; (11) to provide for the establishment, maintenance and naming or renaming of colleges, hostels, laboratories, clinics, instructional and experimental livestock, poultry and fishery farms and other facilities necessary for carrying out the purposes of this Act; (12) to provide for the institution and conferment of degrees, diplomas and other academic distinctions; (13) to provide for the institution, maintenance and award of scholarships, fellowships, studentship, bursaries, exhibitions, medals and prizes etc.; (14) to accept on behalf of the University, trust, bequest, donations and transfer of any movable or immovable property made to it; (15) to enter into contract on behalf of the University; (16) to approve the recommendations for appointment of officers, teachers and other staff of the University in the manner as may be prescribed; (17) to decide to affiliate a college or institution other than its own constituent colleges and institutions to the University under special circumstances on the recommendations of the Academic Council and the State Government under such specific terms and conditions as may be prescribed; (18) to do all acts appertaining or incidental to the construction of buildings, roads, tanks, pipelines and other structures of the University and, for the purpose, shall appoint a Construction Committee consisting of seven members of whom the Vice-Chancellor shall be the Chairman, the Registrar shall be the Secretary, the Finance Officer, and the remaining four members shall be appointed from among the members of the Executive Council with power to co-opt experts as members who shall have no power to vote: Provided that at least one member of the Committee shall be appointed from amongst the members elected to the Executive Council by the Court. (19) to arrange for holding/conducting examinations of the University and publishing the results. (20) to exercise such power and to discharge such duties as may be prescribed by or the statutes.

(1) The Board shall meet at such times and places and shall subject to the provisions under section 24 of this Act observe such rules of procedure in regard to transaction of business at its meeting including the quorum at meetings as may be prescribed: Provided that the Board shall meet at least once in every three months, (2) The Vice-Chancellor or in his absence any member nominated by him shall preside at a meeting of the Board. If it so happens that the nominated member also is absent, then any member chosen by the members present shall preside at the Board. (3) All questions at any meeting of the Board shall be decided by a majority of the votes of the members present and in case of any equality of votes the Vice-Chancellor or the member presiding as the case may be shall have and exercise a second or casting vote. (4) (a) The Board may for purpose of consultation invite any person having special knowledge or practical experience in any subject under consideration to attend any meeting. Such person may speak in and otherwise take part in the proceedings of such meetings but shall not be entitled to vote, (b) The person so invited shall be entitled to such daily and travelling allowances as are admissible to any member of the Board.

The Academic Council shall be the academic authority of the University and shall subject to the provisions of this Act and the statutes have the control over the general regulation of teaching and examination in the University and shall be responsible for the maintenance of the standards thereof.

(1) The Academic Council shall consist of the following members, namely :- (a) The Vice-Chancellor, (b) The Registrar-Ex-officio, (c) The Deans of Faculties, (d) The Associate Deans of Colleges, (e) The Director of Research, (f) The Director of Extension Education, (g) The Director of Post Graduate Studies, (h) The Director of Students' Welfare, (i) The Director of Farms, (j) The Associate Director of Research (Veterinary), (k) The Associate Director of Research (Dairy), (l) The Associate Director of Research (Fisheries), (m) The Associate Director of Extension Education (Veterinary), (n) The Associate Director of Extension Education (Dairy), (o) The Associate Director of Extension Education (Fisheries), (p) Three Heads of the Departments from each of the Colleges to be nominated in a manner as may be prescribed, (q) One eminent Fisheries Scientist to be nominated by the Vice-Chancellor, (r) One eminent Animal Scientist to be nominated by the Vice-Chancellor. (2) The term of the office of the members of the Academic Council other than the ex-officio members, shall be for a term of two years; (3) The members of the Academic Council shall not be entitled to receive any remuneration from the University except such daily and traveling allowances as may be prescribed: Provided that nothing contained in this sub-section shall preclude any member from drawing his normal emoluments to which he is entitled to, by virtue of the office he holds. (4) A member of the Academic Council other than the ex-officio members may tender resignation of his office. Such resignation shall be conveyed to the Vice-Chancellor by a letter in writing by the member and the resignation shall take effect from the date of its acceptance by the Vice-Chancellor.

The powers and functions of the Academic Council shall be the following, namely:- (i) to exercise general control on teaching and other educational programmes and maintain and promote standards thereof; (ii) to make regulations and amend or repeal the same; (iii) to make regulations regarding- (a) admission of students to the University and number of students to be admitted, (b) courses of study leading to degrees, diplomas and other academic distinctions; and (c) conduct of examinations and maintenance and promotion of standards of education, (iv) to advice the Board on all academic matters including the control and management of libraries; (v) to make recommendations to the Board for the institution of Professorship, Associate Professorship, Assistant Professorship and other teaching research and extension education posts and in regard to their duties and emoluments; (vi) to organise teaching in the university and control the engagement of teachers; (vii) to control the university library; (viii) to formulate modify or revise schemes for the constitution or recommendation of departments of teaching, research and extension education; (ix) to make recommendations to the Board regarding post graduate teaching, research and extension education; (x) to make recommendations to the Board regarding the qualifications to be prescribed for teaching research and extension education posts in the University; (xi) to make recommendations to the Board for the conferment of honorary degrees or other distinctions; (xii) to exercise such other powers and perform such other functions as may be prescribed by the Statutes.

(1) The Academic Council shall meet at such times and places and shall observe such rules of procedure in regard to transaction of business at its meetings including the quorum at meetings as may be prescribed : Provided that the Academic Council shall meet at least once in three months. (2) The Vice-Chancellor or in his absence any member nominated by him shall preside at a meeting of the Academic Council. If it so happens that the nominated member also is absent, then any member chosen by the members present shall preside at a meeting of the Academic Council. (3) All questions at any meeting of the Academic Council shall be decided by a majority of the votes of the members present and in case of any equality of votes the Vice-Chancellor or the member presiding as the case may be shall have and exercise a second or casting vote. (4) (a) The Academic Council may for purpose of consultation, invite any person having special knowledge or practical experience in any subject under consideration to attend any meeting. Such person may speak in and otherwise take part in the proceedings of such meetings but shall not be entitled to vote. (b) The person so invited shall be entitled to such daily and travelling allowances as are admissible to any member of the Academic Council.

(1) The Board shall appoint a Finance Committee consisting of the following members, namely; (a) The Vice-Chancellor, (b) The Secretary to the Government in charge of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary,

(1) The members of the Finance Committee, other than the Vice-Chancellor and the Comptroller, shall be: (c) The Secretary to the Government in charge of Fisheries, (d) The Secretary to the Government in charge of Agriculture, (e) The Secretary to the Government in charge of Finance, (f) One member chosen by the Board from amongst its non-official members; and (g) Finance Officer. (2) In case the Secretary to Government in charge of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry, Fisheries or Finance is unable to attend meeting of the Finance Committee for any reason he may depute any officer of his department not lower in rank than that of Joint Secretary to the Government to attend the meetings. The officer so deputed shall have the right to take part in the discussions of the meetings and shall have the right to vote. (3) The Vice-Chancellor shall be the ex-officio Chairman of the Finance Committee. The Comptroller shall be the ex-officio Secretary to the Finance Committee; (4) The Finance Committee shall - (a) examine the annual accounts and the annual financial estimates of the University and advise the Board thereon; (b) review the financial position of the University from time to time; (c) make recommendation to the Board on every proposal involving expenditure for which no provision has been made in the annual financial estimates or which involves expenditure in excess of the amount provided for in the annual financial estimate; (d) make recommendation to the Board on all matters relating to the finances of the University; and (e) perform such other functions as may be prescribed. The functions of the Finance Committee shall be as follows:-(i) to examine the annual budget estimates and to give advice and suggestion to the Executive Council thereon; (ii) to make recommendations to the Executive Council relating to the finances of the University; (iii) to examine every proposal for new expenditures involving a sum of money exceeding rupees one lakh and to advise the Executive Council thereon; (iv) to review the financial position of the University periodically; (v) to suggest, in general, the means for the improvement of the financial position of the University; (vi) to review grades of pay for all staff of the University so that they conform to the State Government rules and policies and report to the Executive Council; (vii) to deal with such other matters relating to the financial matters of the University, as may be prescribed by the Statutes and Ordinances. (viii) The Committee shall sit at least twice a year, and all the expenditures of the University shall be placed before the Committee.

There shall be a Board of Studies for each Faculty the constitution and functions of which shall be such as may be prescribed.

(1) The University shall include Faculty of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Dairy Science, Faculty of Fisheries and such other faculties as may be prescribed by the statutes. (2) Each Faculty shall have a Dean who shall be appointed in such manner as may be prescribed. The Dean shall be Chairman of the Faculty and be responsible for the faithful observance of the Statutes and regulations relating to the Faculty and for the organization and conduct of the teaching, research and extension work of the departments comprised therein. In carrying out the research and extension programmes, he shall work in close co-operation with the Directors of research and extension, respectively. (3) Each Faculty shall comprise of such colleges, research and extension stations/establishments and departments of teaching with such assignment of subjects as may be prescribed and each department shall have a Head who shall be responsible to the Dean for proper organization and working of that department; (4) The constitution and functions of the Faculties shall in all other respects be such as may be prescribed.

There shall be a Research Advisory Council (RAC) headed by the Vice-Chancellor or his nominee as the apex body of the Research Development Cell (RDC) as prescribed by ICAR. The Board of Management shall nominate other members as per ICAR Model Act for establishment of Research and Development Cell.

The University shall institute programmes such as extension education services for animal husbandry, dairying and fisheries subject as per the provisions of the Act and the Statutes, and make available useful information based upon the findings of research to the farmers and other people engaged in farming of animals and fishery in rural areas to help solving their problems. It shall conduct demonstration and training programmers for the benefit of the students, extension workers, farmers, livestock and fish breeders and other rural people to increase milk production, fish production and improve genetic make up of the local, pure bred and crossbred animals and fishes. These activities shall be carried out by establishing extension education units, such as Krishi Vigyan Kendras, by whatever name called, within the jurisdiction of the University and in collaboration with other agencies.

(1) The Vice-Chancellor shall, in consultation with the appropriate officers of the University, be responsible for taking such steps as may be necessary for proper co-ordination of teaching, research and extension education activities of the University. This co-ordination shall be routed through the Deans of the respective faculties, as well as by the direct involvement of the Vice-Chancellor. (2) The Vice-Chancellor shall be responsible, working through the appropriate officers and staff of the University, for ensuring that such conditions are created whereby there is maximum feasible progress in the development of new information and up gradation of technology in the industrial, physical and social sciences related to the veterinary, animal, dairy and fishery sciences and their transfer to the educational programmes. (3) The Vice-Chancellor shall be responsible, working through the appropriate officers and staff of the University, to ensure that there is an appropriate inter-relationship among the different curricula so as to provide the students with the best courses within the University's resources and talents.

(4) The University shall develop its programme of research and extension education keeping in view the need of the state in general and provide appropriate technical support and consultative advice to the State Government departments engaged in animal husbandry, dairying and fishery development work, in particular. (5) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, having regard to the interest of the state as a whole the State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, entrust any specialized research and training programmes to the University for such period and subject to such terms and conditions as may be specified in such notification. (1) The University shall, through its constituent colleges, undertake teaching, research and extension education activities in accordance with provisions of this Act. (2) The constituent and affiliated colleges and institutions of the University shall have method of teaching and organization as may be directed by the authority from time to time. (3) The University shall, according to the need, establish new colleges and institutions to serve the requirements of various faculties. (4) The University shall, according to the need start additional training centres or close down either permanently or temporarily any of the training institutions, courses or classes under its control as it may consider appropriate.

(1) The University shall have a Fund to be known as "The Assam Veterinary University Fund" which shall be credited- (a) Its income from all sources including fees and charges, endowments, grants, donations and gifts, if any; (b) Any contribution or grant made by the Central Government, any State Government, ICAR, CSIR, DBT, the University Grant Commission established under section 4 of the University Grants Commission Act 1956 or like authority or any local authority or any corporation owned or controlled by such Governments and (c) Other receipts, including revenues earned by the University. (2) The State Government shall for the purpose of the Act, contribute annually to the university fund a sum to meet the recurring charges of the university.

(1) The University shall institute for the benefit of its officers, teachers and other employees such pension, gratuity, insurance and provident fund as it may deem fit, in such manner and subject to such conditions as may be prescribed, (2) Where the University has so instituted a provident fund under sub-section 1 the Government may declare that the provisions of the Provident Fund Act 1925 shall apply to such fund as if the University was a local authority and the fund a Government Provident Fund, (3) The University may, in consultation with the Finance Committee, invest the provident fund amount in such manner as it may determine.

(1) The annual accounts of the University shall be prepared by the Comptroller under the direction of the Vice-Chancellor and all moneys accruing to or received by the University and all amounts disbursed and paid by the University shall be entered in the accounts. (2) The annual accounts and the balance sheet shall be submitted by the Vice-Chancellor to the State Government which shall cause audit to be carried out by a Chartered Accountant or the Accountant General as it may appoint in this behalf. The accounts when audited shall be printed and published in the Official Gazette and copies thereof together with the audit report shall be presented by the Vice-Chancellor to the Board and to the Chancellor. (3) The Board shall submit a copy of the accounts and report to the State Government along with the statement of the action taken by the University on the audit report and the State Government shall cause the same to be laid before the Legislative Assembly. (4) The Comptroller shall, before such as may be prescribed by the statutes, prepare the annual financial estimates for the ensuing year. (5) The annual accounts and the annual financial estimates prepared by the Comptroller shall be placed before the Board together with the remarks of the Finance Committee for approval of the Board and the Board may pass resolution with reference thereto and communicate the same to the Comptroller who shall take action in accordance therewith.

The funds and all moneys of the University shall be managed in such manner as may be prescribed. (1) The Government shall every year make non lapsable lump sum grants to the University as follows:— (a) A grant not less than the expenditure incurred in the year in respect of the activities of the institutions of Veterinary, Animal, Dairy, and Fishery and Allied sciences, and such other Government departments relating to Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Fisheries and allied sciences as are transferred to the University, (b) A grant not less than the estimated expenditure on pay and allowances of the officers, teachers, employees, other staff, contingencies, supplies and services of the University, and (c) A grant to meet such additional items of expenditure, recurring and non-recurring, as the Government may deem necessary for proper functioning of the University (2) The University shall furnish such statements, accounts, reports and other particulars relating to any grant made by the Government and its utilization as the Government may require.

Subject to the provision of the Act, the statutes may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely; (a) the conditions under which the research in the University may be carried on; (b) the manner in which and the conditions under which the honorary degrees and other distinctions may be conferred; (c) the fixation, payment and receipt of fees and other charges;

(1) The Board may, from time to time, make statutes and amend or repeal the statutes in the manner hereafter provided in this section; (2) The Academic Council may propose to the Board the draft of any statute or of any amendment to, or of repeal of a statutes to be passed by the Board and such draft shall be considered by the Board at its next meeting : Provided that the Academic Council shall not propose the draft of any statute or of any amendment to, or repeal of, a statute relating to the matters other than academic affairs. (3) The Board may consider the draft proposed by the Academic Council under sub-section (2) and may either pass or reject or return the draft with suggestions for amendment to the Academic Council. (4) (a) Any member of the Board may propose to the Board the draft of a statute and the Board may either accept or reject the draft, if it relates to a matter not falling with the purview of the Academic Council. (b) In case, such draft relates to a matter within the purview of the Academic Council, the Board shall refer into the Academic Council which may either report to the Board that it does not approve the draft or submit the draft to the Board in such form as the Academic Council may approve and the Board may either pass, with or without amendment, or reject the draft. (5) In the case of a statute proposed by the Board concerning the internal working of the University, the draft statute must be referred to the Vice-Chancellor for consideration in the University and sufficient time given to allow the University to review the proposed statute and to make any suggestions for changes or modifications therein before final action is taken by the Board. (6) A statute passed by the Board shall be submitted to the Chancellor who may assent there to or withhold his assent. A statute passed by the Board shall have no validity until it has been assented to by the Chancellor.

Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, every student of the colleges specified in sub section (1) of section 54 who immediately before the commencement of the Act, was studying in such colleges or was eligible to be admitted to any examination held or conducted by the Assam Agricultural University shall be permitted to complete his course of study or be admitted to the examination of the University and the University shall make arrangements, (a) for the instruction, teaching, training and holding of examinations for such students for such period and in such manner as may be determined by the first Vice-Chancellor in consultation with Academic Council in accordance with the course of study in the Assam Agricultural University; and (b) for the conferment of the corresponding degree, diploma or other academic distinction of the University upon the qualified student on the result of such examination.

(1) Every person who, immediately before the appointed day, is serving in the colleges and institutions of the Assam Agricultural University specified in Schedule I shall, as from the said day, become an employee of the University and shall cease to be an employee of the Assam Agricultural University, (2) (a) As soon as may be, after the commencement of the Act, the Government may after consulting the Vice-Chancellor of the Assam Agricultural University and the Assam Veterinary and Fishery University, direct by general or special order, that such employee of the Assam Agricultural University, as are specified in such order shall stand allotted to serve in connection with the affairs of the Assam Veterinary and Fishery University with effect on and from such dates as may be specified in such order : Provided that no such orders shall be issued in respect of any such employee without his consent for such allotment, obtained within a period not exceeding one year, or within such period as may be specified by the Government; (b) With effect on and from the dates specified in the order under sub-section (2) clause (a) the persons specified in such orders shall become employees of the Assam Veterinary and Fishery University and shall cease to be employees of the Assam Agricultural University, (3) Every person referred to in sub section (1) and (2) shall hold office under the University for the same tenure at the same remuneration and upon the same right and privileges as to pension or gratuity, if any and other matters as he would have held the same on the appointed day or the dates specified in the order under sub-section (2) as the case may be, as if this Act had not been passed, (4) The liability of pension and gratuity to the persons referred to in sub-section (1) and (2) shall be the liability of the Assam Veterinary and Fishery University.

(1) The sums at the credit of the provident fund accounts of the persons referred to in sub-section (1) of section 50 as on the appointed day and of the persons referred to in sub-section (2) of that section as on the dates specified in the order under sub-section (a) of the said sub-section (2) shall be transferred to the University and the liability in respect of the said provident fund accounts shall be the liability of the University, (2) Funds shall be paid to the Assam Veterinary and Fishery University, out of the accumulations in the superannuation fund and other like funds, if any of the Assam Agricultural University, as the case may be, of the Government, such amounts as have been credited to the superannuation fund or other like funds, if any, on behalf of the persons referred to in sub-section (1) and (2) of section 50. The amounts so paid shall form part of the superannuation fund or other funds, if any that may be established by the Assam Veterinary and Fishery University for the benefit of its employees.

Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act or any other law for the time being in force, the Government may, by order in writing, call for any information from the University on any matter relating to the affairs of the University and the University shall, if such information is available with it, furnish the Government with such information within a reasonable period: Provided that in the case of information which the University considered confidential, the University may place the same before the Chancellor.

The annual report of the University shall be prepared under the direction of the Vice-Chancellor and submitted by him to the Board on or before such date as may be prescribed. The report as approved by the Board shall be submitted by the Vice-Chancellor to the Chancellor and the State Government. The State Government shall cause the report to be laid before the State Legislative Assembly.

If any question arises regarding the interpretation of any provision of this Act or any statutes or regulation or, as to whether a person has been duly nominated, elected, appointed, co-opted or has become, or is entitled to be a member of any authority or body of the University, the matter may be referred through petition by person or body directly affected suo moto by the Vice-Chancellor to the Chancellor, who shall after giving the person or body affected a reasonable opportunity of being heard and after taking such advice as he deems necessary, decide the question and his decision shall be final.

(1) Save as otherwise provided in this Act, all acts and orders in good faith done and passed by the University or any of its authorities shall be final and no suit shall be instituted against or damage claimed from the University or its authority for anything done or purported to be done in pursuance of this Act and the Statutes and Regulations made thereunder. (2) No officer or other employees of the University shall be liable in respect of any such act in any civil or criminal proceedings if the act was done in good faith in the course of the discharge of duties and functions imposed by or under this Act.

(1) No person shall be qualified for nomination or election as a member of any of the authorities of the University, if on the date of such nomination or election, he is - (a) of unsound mind or a deaf-mute; or (b) an applicant to be adjudicated as an insolvent or an undischarged insolvent; or (c) Sentenced by a criminal court to imprisonment for any offence involving moral turpitude (2) In case of dispute or doubt as to whether a person is disqualified under sub-section (1) the Board shall refer such case to the Chancellor, whose decision shall be final.

All casual vacancies among the members (other than ex-officio members) of any authority or other body of the University shall be filled, as soon as may be, by the person or body who or which nominated or elected the member whose place has become vacant and the person nominated or elected to a casual vacancy shall be a member of such authority or body for the remainder of the term for which the member whose place he fills would have been a member : Provided that no casual vacancy shall be filled, if such vacancy occurs within six months before the date of expiry of the term of the member of any authority or other body of the University.

(1) The Board may remove by an order in writing made in this behalf any person from membership of any authority of the University by a resolution passed by a majority of the total membership of the Board and by a majority of not less than two third of the members of Board present and voting at the meeting, if such a person has been convicted by a criminal court for an offence which in the opinion of the Board involves moral turpitude or if he has been guilty of gross misconduct and for the same reason the Board may withdraw any degree or diploma or other academic distinction conferred on, or granted to, that person by the University. (2) The Board may also by an order in writing made in this behalf remove any person from the membership of any authority of the University if he becomes of unsound mind or deaf mute or has applied to be adjudicated or has been adjudicated as an insolvent. (3) No action under this section shall be taken against any person unless he has been given a reasonable opportunity to show cause against the action proposed to be taken. (4) A copy of every order passed under sub-section (1) or (2) as the case may be, as soon as may be after it is so passed, be communicated to the person concerned in the manner as may be prescribed.

All authorities of the University shall have power to constitute or reconstitute committees and to delegate to them such of their powers, as they deem fit. Such committees shall, have as otherwise provided, consist of members of the authority concerned and of such other person, if any, as the authority in each case may deem fit.

The Vice-Chancellor, the Registrar, the Comptroller, the Deans, the Director of Research, the Director of Extension Education, the Director of Post Graduate Studies, the Director of Farms, the Director of Physical Plant, the Librarian and the employees of the University shall be deemed, when acting or purporting to act in pursuance of any of the provisions of the Act, to be public servants within the meaning of section 21 of the Indian Penal Code or sub-section (28) of section 2 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023.

The Government may, by notification, amend or add to the list of institute and colleges mentioned in the Schedule-I upon the issue of such notification, the Schedule shall be deemed to be amended accordingly.

(1) If, at any time, the State Government is of the opinion that special reasons exist that the affairs of the University are not managed in furtherance of the objective of the University for which any grant or donation is specifically made by the State Government, public bodies or individuals, or that the University Funds are misappropriated or misapplied, the State Government may indicate to the Executive Council such matter in regard to which the State Government desires an explanation and call upon that body within reasonable time to offer such explanation as it may desire to offer, with any proposal which it may desire to make. (2) If the Council fails to offer any explanation or make proposal(s) which, in the opinion of the State Government is or are unsatisfactory, the State Government may issue such instructions as may appear to them to be necessary and desirable in the circumstances of the case, and the Executive Council shall give effect to such instructions.

(1) Subject to the provisions of the Act, the members of the staff of the University shall be appointed by the Vice-Chancellor with the approval of the Board, (2) The procedure of selection of officer, teacher and other employees of the University, unless otherwise provided in the Act, shall be as prescribed in the statute, (3) All matters relating to superannuation and re-employment of the University employees shall be as may be prescribed. Explanation: For the purposes of the sections 40 the word "officer" shall not include the Chancellor of the University.

Every authority shall have the power to appoint Committees, which may unless otherwise provided in the Act or statutes consist of members of the authority and such other persons as it may consider appropriate.

SCHEDULE I (See clause (e) of Section 2, and section 54, 55) Colleges: (1) College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara Campus, Guwahati-22; (2) Lakhimpur College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, North Lakhimpur Campus, North Lakhimpur; (3) College of Fisheries, Assam Agricultural University, Raha Campus, Raha; (4) All colleges and Institutions which may be affiliated to, or established or maintained by the University in accordance with the provisions of this Act and the statute and regulations made thereunder. Institutions: All establishments of: (1) The Assam Agricultural University at Khanapara (A.A.U.), Guwahati campus; (2) Goat Research Station, A.A.U., Burnihat; (3) Livestock Research Station, A.A.U., Mandira; (4) Two Krishi Vigyan Kendras, A.A.U. located in the districts of Kamrup, Morigaon, North Lakhimpur, Baksa and Barpeta.