Chapter II DECLARATION OF PILGRIMAGE TOURISM

(1) The State Government, for the purpose of securing planned Pilgrimage Tourism development, administration and governance in and around Maa Ambaji Temple, District Banaskantha in the State of Gujarat, may, by notification in the Official Gazette, declare such area to be the Pilgrimage Tourism development area. (2) Every notification issued under sub-section (1) shall define the limits of the area to which it relates. (3) The State Government may also, by notification in the Official Gazette, extend or reduce the Pilgrimage Tourism development area as and when it deems fit.

(1) As soon as may be after the declaration of a Pilgrimage Tourism development area under section 3, the State Government shall, by notification in the Official Gazette, constitute an authority for such area to be called the Ambaji Area Development and Pilgrimage Tourism Governance Authority (hereinafter referred to as "Ambaji Pilgrimage Tourism Authority") for such Pilgrimage Tourism development area for the purpose of carrying out the functions assigned to it by or under this Act. (2) The headquarters of the Ambaji Pilgrimage Tourism Authority shall be at Village: Ambaji, District: Banaskantha: Provided that the State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify any other place to be the headquarters of the Ambaji Pilgrimage Tourism Authority. (3) (a) The Ambaji Pilgrimage Tourism Authority shall consist of the following members, namely: - (i) a Chairman to be appointed by the State Government; (ii) the Vice - Chairman – Collector, Banaskantha, ex-officio; (iii) the Secretary, Gujarat Pavitra Yatradham Vikas Board, ex-officio; (iv) the Joint Secretary / Deputy Secretary, Tourism Department, ex-officio; (v) the Superintendent of Police, Banaskantha, ex-officio; (vi) two officials of the State Government, to be nominated by the State Government, ex-officio; (vii) the Town Planner, District: Banaskantha, ex-officio; (viii) the Prant Officer, Ta: Danta, District: Banaskantha, ex-officio; (ix) two experts who possess experience and knowledge in area development or Pilgrimage Tourism to be nominated by the State Government; (x) the President, Danta Taluka Panchayat, District: Banaskantha, ex-officio; (xi) a Member-Secretary who shall also be designated as the Chief Executive Officer – Administrator and Deputy Collector, Ambaji Trust, ex-officio; (b) The Chairman shall have powers to co-opt the members, not exceeding three, in the Ambaji Pilgrimage Tourism Authority subject to the rules as may be prescribed: Provided that no such appointment shall be made except without the prior consultation with the State Government. (c) The terms and conditions of service of the members so co-opted shall be as may be determined by the State Government. (4) The State Government may, instead of constituting the Ambaji Pilgrimage Tourism Authority, designate any Government agency or Government company as the Ambaji Pilgrimage Tourism Authority and empower it to exercise any or all of the powers to enable it to perform the functions by or under this Act.

(1) The term of office, conditions of service and powers and functions of the Chairman, Vice- Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer and members appointed under sub-clause (ix) of clause (a) of sub-section (3) of section 4 of the Ambaji Pilgrimage Tourism Authority shall be such as may be prescribed. (2) The Chairman, the Vice-Chairman and the members of the Ambaji Pilgrimage Tourism Authority other than ex-officio members shall hold office during the pleasure of the State Government. (3) The conditions of service of the members of the Ambaji Pilgrimage Tourism Authority other than ex-officio members shall be such as may be prescribed and such members shall be entitled to receive such remuneration or allowances or both as the State Government may, by an order determine. (4) (a) If the State Government is of the opinion that any member of Ambaji Pilgrimage Tourism Authority is guilty of misconduct in the discharge of his duties or is incompetent or has become incapable of performing his duties as such member, or should for any other good and sufficient reasons, be removed, the State Government may, after giving him an opportunity to be heard, remove him from office. (b) Any member of the Ambaji Pilgrimage Tourism Authority other than an ex- officio member may at any time resign his office by writing under his hand addressed to the State Government and upon the acceptance thereof, the office of such member shall become vacant.

(1) The Ambaji Pilgrimage Tourism Authority shall meet at such time and at such place as the Chairman may determine: Provided that the procedure with regard to transaction of business at its meetings including quorum at such meeting shall be such as may be laid down by the Ambaji Pilgrimage Tourism Authority in consultation with the State Government. (2) The Ambaji Pilgrimage Tourism Authority shall meet at least once in every quarter. (3) The appointment, remuneration, allowances and conditions of services of the officers and employees of Ambaji Pilgrimage Tourism Authority shall be such as may be prescribed by regulations.