Chapter II STATE LIBRARY COUNCIL

1. (1) As soon as may be, after the commencement of this Act, the State Government shall, by notification in the Official Gazette, constitute for the purposes of this Act a Council to be called the State Library Council.
2. (2) The Council shall consist of the following members, that is to say,-
   • (i) the Minister for 1[Higher and Technical Education,] who shall be ex-officio President of the Council;
   • (ii) the 2[Minister of State for Higher and Technical Education,] who shall be ex-officio Vice-President of the Council; 3[(iii) the Principal Secretary or Secretary to the Government of Maharashtra, Higher and Technical Education Department ;]
   • (iv) the Charity Commissioner or his nominee not below the rank of Assistant Charity Commissioner;
   • (v) 4[the Director of Higher Education,] Maharashtra State for the time being in office; 5[(vi) two members of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly nominated by the Speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly;
   • (vii) one member of the Maharashtra Legislative Council nominated by the Chairman of the Maharashtra Legislative Council;]
   • (viii) one person nominated by the State Government to represent Municipal Corporations functioning in the State of Maharashtra;
   • (ix) one person nominated by the State Government to represent 6[Municipal Councils] functioning in each of the Divisions;
   • (x) one member from each Division nominated by the State Government to represent the Zilla Parishads functioning in that Division;
   • (xi) the President of the body known as the Maharashtra Rajya Granthalaya Sangha;
   • (xii) one member nominated by the said Maharashtra Rajya Granthalaya Sangha from each Division to represent that Division;
   • (xiii) the Chairman of the body known as the Sahitya Mahamandal, a Society registered under the Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950 (Bom. XXIX of 1950);
   • (xiv) four members nominated by the State Government from amongst persons who, in its opinion, have special knowledge or interest or practical experience in matters connected with library service;
   • (xv) the Director of Libraries who shall also be the Secretary of the Council.
3. (3) A person so elected under paragraphs (vi) and (vii) of sub-section (2) shall cease to be a member of the Council if he cease to be a member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly or the Maharashtra Legislative Council.

It shall be the function of the Council to advise the State Government on all matters connected with the administration of this Act.

1. (1) Save as otherwise provided in this Act, at the members of the Council, not being members ex-officio, shall hold office for a term of three years commencing on the date on which the first meeting of the Council is held after the nomination of the members under sub-section (2) of section 3.
2. (2) The members of the Council shall be entitled to such compensatory allowances and at such rates as may be prescribed.

A vacancy in the office of a nominated or elected member of the Council occurring otherwise than by efflux of time shall be filled by nomination or election, as the case may be, and the person nominated or elected to fill the vacancy shall hold office only for the remainder of the term for which the member whose place he takes was nominated or elected.

1. (1) The Council shall meet not less than twice in every year, on such dates and at such hours as may be fixed by the President; and six months shall not intervene between two successive meetings.
2. (2) The President of the Council may, whenever he thinks fit, and shall, upon the written request of not less than one-third of the total number of members of the Council, and on a date not later than thirty days after the receipt of such request, call a special meeting of the Council.
3. (3) One-third of the total number of members of the Council shall form the quorum.
4. (4) The Council shall transact business in such manner and in accordance with such procedure as may be prescribed.