Chapter IV POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF NATIONAL AUTHORITY AND STATE AUTHORITIES

(1) The governing body of the National Authority shall— (i) formulate broad policy framework for functioning of the National Authority and State Authorities as may be notified by the Central Government; (ii) approve the annual report and audited accounts of the National Authority; (iii) review reports on decision taken by executive committee and monitoring group of the National Authority including investment decisions; (iv) approve the proposal for the schemes specified in sub-clause (iii) of clause (b) of section 5; (v) approve the proposals for creation of posts in the National Authority, subject to prior permission of the Central Government; (vi) provide a mechanism to State Authorities to resolve issues of inter-State or Centre-State character; (vii) formulate such procedures for delegation of financial and administrative powers to the National Authority and State Authorities as may be notified by the Central Government. (2) The governing body of the National Authority shall meet at least once in six months. (3) The governing body and executive committee of the National Authority and the monitoring group of the National Authority shall meet at such places and shall observe such rules and procedures in regard to transaction of business at its meeting, including the quorum thereat, as may be prescribed. (iv) approve the proposal for the schemes specified in sub-clause (iii) of clause (b) of section 5; (v) approve the proposals for creation of posts in the National Authority, subject to prior permission of the Central Government; (vi) provide a mechanism to State Authorities to resolve issues of inter-State or Centre-State character; (vii) formulate such procedures for delegation of financial and administrative powers to the National Authority and State Authorities as may be notified by the Central Government. (2) The governing body of the National Authority shall meet at least once in six months. (3) The governing body and executive committee of the National Authority and the monitoring group of the National Authority shall meet at such places and shall observe such rules and procedures in regard to transaction of business at its meeting, including the quorum thereat, as may be prescribed.

(1) The executive committee of the National Authority shall— (i) approve within three months from the date of receipt, annual plan of operations of State Authorities, with such amendments as it deems fit and proper; (ii) formulate proposals for schemes specified in sub-clause (iii) of clause (b) of section 5; (iii) execute schemes specified in sub-clause (iii) of clause (b) of section 5; (iv) deploy staff on contract or on deputation basis to the posts in the National Authority; (v) formulate proposals for creation of posts in the National Authority at the level of Assistant Inspector General of Forests and other officers; (vi) invest surplus amounts available in the National Fund; (vii) execute other day-to-day work in respect of receipt of amounts in the National Fund; (viii) maintain books of account and such other records; (ix) facilitate scientific, technological and other assistance that may be required by State Authorities; (x) present its decisions to the governing body of the National Authority for information; (xi) maintain and update a public information system on the National Authority and present all information on its transaction in the public domain; (xii) undertake any other work as may be assigned by the governing body of the National Authority or the Central Government, from time to time. (2) The executive committee of the National Authority shall meet at least once in every three months.

(1) The monitoring group shall— (i) evolve independent system for concurrent monitoring and evaluation of the works implemented in the States and Union territories utilising the funds released by the National Authority and State Authorities to ensure effective and proper utilisation of funds by utilising the services of the regional offices, of the Central Government in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: Provided that the Central Government may also undertake third party monitoring and evaluation of the works implemented in the States and Union territories utilising the funds released by the National Authority and State Authorities through individual and institutional experts including remote sensing agencies; (ii) inspect and undertake financial audit of works executed by utilising the funds released by the National Authority and State Authorities in the State and Union territories; (iii) devise measures for transparency and accountability. (2) The monitoring group shall meet at least once in three months.

(1) The governing body of a State Authority shall— (i) lay down the broad policy framework for the functioning of such State Authority within the overall framework notified by the Central Government on the recommendations of the National Authority; (ii) review the working of the State Authority from time to time. (2) The governing body of a State Authority shall meet at least once in six months. (3) The governing body, steering committee and executive committee of a State Authority shall meet at such places and shall observe such rules and procedures in regards to transaction of business at its meeting, including the quorum thereat, as may be prescribed.

(1) The steering committee of a State Authority shall— (i) scrutinise and approve with such amendments as it may deems fit and proper the annual plan of operations prepared by the executive committee of such State Authority and send the same to the executive committee of the National Authority for final approval; (ii) monitor the progress of the utilisation of funds released from the State Fund; (iii) review reports on decision taken by executive committee including investment decisions; (iv) approve, subject to prior concurrence of the State Government, proposals formulated by the executive committee for creation of posts in the State Authority; (v) approve annual report of the State Authority and send the same to the State Government to lay it, each year, in each House of the State Legislature; (vi) ensure inter-departmental coordination. (2) The steering committee of a State Authority shall meet at least once in every three months.

(1) The executive committee of a State Authority shall— (i) formulate and submit annual plan of operations to the steering committee of the State Authority for its concurrence; (ii) undertake qualitative and quantitative supervision, monitoring and evaluation of the works being implemented from amounts available in the State Fund; (iii) invest surplus amounts available in the State Fund of such State; (iv) maintain books of account and other records; (v) submit reports to the steering committee of the State Authority; (vi) prepare annual report of the State Authority; (vii) deploy staff on contractual basis or on deputation to the posts in the State Authority; (viii) formulate proposals for creation of posts in the State Authority; (ix) be responsible for delegation of financial or administrative powers; (x) be responsible for other day-to-day working in respect of the State Authority; (xi) maintain and update public information system on the State Authority and present all information on its transaction in the public domain; (xii) undertake any other work as may be assigned by the governing body or steering committee of the State Authority or the State Government, from time to time. (2) The executive committee of a State Authority shall meet at least once in every three months.