The Tezpur University Act, 1993

--- Section 1. Section 1.Short title and commencement. --- (1) This Act may be called the Tezpur University Act, 1993. (2) It shall come into force on such date 1 as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint. [Footnotes] 1. 15th January, 1994, vide notifin. No. G.S.R 22(E), dated 15th January, 1994, see Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, sec. 3(i). --- Section 2. Section 2.Definitions. --- In this Act, and in all Statutes made hereunder, unless the context otherwise requires,-- (a) "Academic Council" means the Academic Council of the University; (b) "academic staff" means such categories of staff as are designated as academic staff by the Ordinances; (c) "Board of Management" means the Board of Management of the University; (d) "Board of Studies" means the Board of Studies of the University; (e) "Chancellor", "Vice-Chancellor" and "Pro-Vice-Chancellor" mean, respectively, the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor and Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University; (f) "College" means a College maintained by the University; (g) "Department" means a Department of Studies, and includes a Centre of Studies; (h) "distance education system" means the system of imparting education through any means of communication, such as broadcasting, telecasting, correspondence courses, seminars, contact programmes or the combination of any two or more such means; (i) "employee" means any person appointed by the University, and includes teachers and other staff of the University; (j) "Finance Committee" means the Finance Committee of the University; (k) "Hall" means a unit of residence or of corporate life for the students of the University, or of a College or of an Institution, maintained by the University; (l) "Institution" means an academic institution, not being a College, maintained by the University; (m) "Planning and Academic Committee" means the Planning and Academic Committee of the University; (n) "Planning Board" means the Planning Board of the University; (o) "Principal" means the Head of a College or an Institution maintained by the University, and includes, where there is no Principal, the person for the time being duly appointed to act as Principal, and, in the absence of the Principal or the acting Principal, a Vice-Principal duly appointed as such; (p) "recognised institution" means an institution of higher learning recognised by the University; (q) "recognised teachers" means such persons as may be recognised by the University for the purpose of imparting instructions in a College or an Institution maintained by the University; (r) "Regulations" means the Regulations made by any authority of the University under this Act for the time being in force; (s) "School" means a School of Studies of the University; (t) "Statutes" and "Ordinances" mean, respectively, the Statutes and Ordinances of the University for the time being in force; (u) "teachers of the University" means Professors, Readers, Lecturers and such other persons as may be appointed for imparting instruction or conducting research in the University or in any College or Institution maintained by the University and are designated as teachers by the Ordinances; (v) "University" means the Tezpur University established under this Act. --- Section 3. Section 3.The University. --- (1) There shall be established a University by the name of "Tezpur University". (2) The headquarters of the University shall be at Tezpur and it may also establish campuses at such other places within its jurisdiction as it may deem fit. (3) The first Vice-Chancellor and the first members of the Board of Management, the Planning and Academic Committee or the Academic Council or the Planning Board and all persons who may hereafter become such officers or members, so long as they continue to hold such office or membership, are hereby constituted a body corporate by the name of "Tezpur University". (4) The University shall have perpetual succession and a common seal and shall sue and be sued by the said name. --- Section 4. Section 4.Objects of the University. --- The objects of the University shall be to disseminate and advance knowledge by providing instructional and research facilities in such branches of learning as it may deem fit; to make provisions for integrated courses in humanities, natural and physical sciences, social sciences, agricultural science and forestry and other allied disciplines in the educational programmes of the University; to take appropriate measures for promoting innovations in teaching-learning processes, inter-disciplinary studies and research; to educate and train manpower for the development of the State of Assam; and to pay special attention to the improvement of the social and economic conditions and welfare of the people of that State, their intellectual, academic and cultural development; and the University shall, in organising its activities, have due regard to the objects specified in the First Schedule. --- Section 5. Section 5.Powers of the University. --- The University shall have the following powers, namely:-- (i) to provide for instruction in such branches of learning as the University may, from time to time, determine and to make provision for research and for the advancement and dissemination of knowledge; (ii) to grant, subject to such conditions as the University may determine, diplomas or certificates to, and confer degrees or other academic distinctions on the basis of examinations, evaluation or any other method of testing on, persons, and to withdraw any such diplomas, certificates, degrees or other academic distinctions for good and sufficient cause; (iii) to organise and to undertake extra-mural studies, training and extension services; (iv) to confer honorary degrees or other distinctions in the manner prescribed by the Statutes; (v) to provide facilities through the distance education system to such persons as it may determine; (vi) to institute Principalships, Professorships, Readerships, Lecturerships and other teaching or academic positions, required by the University and to appoint persons to such Principalships, Professorships, Readerships, Lecturerships or other teaching on academic positions; (vii) to recognise an institution of higher learning for such purposes as the University may determine and to withdraw such recognition; (viii) to recognise persons for imparting instructions in any College or Institution maintained by the University; (ix) to appoint persons working in any other University or organisation as teacher of the University for a specified period; (x) to create administrative, ministerial and other posts and to make appointments thereto; (xi) to co-operate or collaborate or associate with any other University or authority or institution of higher learning in such manner and for such purposes as the University may determine; (xii) to establish such campuses, special centres, specialised laboratories or other units for research and instruction as are, in the opinion of the University, necessary for the furtherance of its objects; (xiii) to institute and award fellowships, scholarships, studentships, medals and prizes; (xiv) to establish and maintain Colleges, Institutions and Halls; (xv) to make provision for research and advisory services and for that purpose to enter into such arrangements with other institutions, industrial or other organisations, as the University may deem necessary; (xvi) to organise and conduct refresher courses, workshops seminars and other programmes for teachers, evaluators and other academic staff; (xvii) to make special arrangements in respect of the residence, discipline and teaching of women students as the University may consider desirable; (xviii) to appoint on contract or otherwise visiting Professors, Emeritus Professors, Consultants, Scholars and such other persons who may contribute to the advancement of the objects of the University; (xix) to confer autonomous status on a College or an Institution or a Department, as the case may be, in accordance with the Statutes; (xx) to determine standards of admission to the University, which may include examination, evaluation or any other method of testing; (xxi) to demand and receive payment of fees and other charges; (xxii) to supervise the residences of the students of the University and to make arrangements for promoting their health and general welfare; (xxiii) to lay down conditions of service of all categories of employees, including their code of conduct; (xxiv) to regulate and enforce discipline among the students and the employees, and to take such disciplinary measures in this regard as may be deemed by the University to be necessary; (xxv) to make arrangements for promoting the health and general welfare of the employees; (xxvi) to receive benefactions, donations and gifts and to acquire, hold, manage and dispose of any property, movable or immovable, including trust and endowment properties for the purposes of the University; (xxvii) to borrow, with the approval of the Central Government, on the security of the property of the University, money for the purposes of the University; (xxviii) to do all such other acts and things as may be necessary, incidental or conducive to the attainment of all or any of its objects. --- Section 6. Section 6.Jurisdiction. --- The jurisdiction of the University shall extend to the whole of the State of Assam. --- Section 7. Section 7.University open to all classes, castes and creed. --- The University shall be open to persons of either sex and of whatever caste, creed, race or class, and it shall not be lawful for the University to adopt or impose on any person, any test whatsoever of religious belief or profession in order to entitle him to be appointed as a teacher of the University or to hold any other office therein or be admitted as a student in the University or to graduate thereat or to enjoy or exercise any privilege thereof; Provided that nothing in this section shall be deemed to prevent the University from making special provisions for the employment or admission of women, physically handicapped or of persons belonging to the weaker sections of the society and, in particular, of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes. --- Section 8. Section 8.Residence of students. --- Every student of the University (other than a student who pursues a course of study by distance education system) shall reside in a Hall or hostel or under such conditions as may be prescribed by the Ordinances. --- Section 9. Section 9.The Visitor. --- (1) The President of India shall be the Visitor of the University. (2) The Visitor may, from time to time, appoint one or more persons to review the work and progress of the University, including Colleges and Institutions managed by it, and to submit a report thereon; and upon receipt of that report, the Visitor may, after obtaining the views of the Board of Management thereon through the Vice-Chancellor, take such action and issue such directions as he considers necessary in respect of any of the matters dealt with in the report and the University shall be bound to comply with such directions. (3) The Visitor shall have the right to cause an inspection to be made by such person or persons as he may direct of the University, its buildings, laboratories and equipment, and of any College or Institution maintained by the University and also of the examinations, teaching and other work conducted or done by the University and to cause an inquiry to be made in like manner in respect of any matter connected with the administration or finances of the University, Colleges or Institutions. (4) The Visitor shall, in every matter referred to in sub-section (2), give notice of his intention to cause an inspection or inquiry to be made to the University and the University shall have the right to make such representations to the Visitor, as it may consider necessary. (5) After considering the representations, if any, made by the University, the Visitor may cause to be made such inspection or inquiry as is referred to in sub-section (3). (6) Where any inspection or inquiry has been caused to be made by the Visitor, 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. (7) The Visitor may, if the inspection or inquiry is made in respect of the University or any College or Institution maintained by it, address the Vice-Chancellor with reference to the result of such inspection or inquiry together with such views and advice with regard to the action to be taken thereon, as the Visitor may be pleased to offer, and on receipt of address made by the Visitor, the Vice-Chancellor shall communicate to the Board of Management the views of the Visitor with such advice as the Visitor may offer upon the action to be taken thereon. (8) The Board of Management shall communicate, through the Vice-Chancellor, to the Visitor such action, if any, as it proposes to take or has been taken upon the result of such inspection or inquiry. (9) Where the Board of Management does not, within a reasonable time, take action to the satisfaction of the Visitor, the Visitor may, after considering any explanation furnished or representation made by the Board of Management, issue such directions as he may think fit and the Board of Management shall comply with such directions. (10) Without prejudice to the foregoing provisions of this section, the Visitor may, by order in writing, annul any proceeding of the University which is not in conformity with the Act, the Statutes or the Ordinances: Provided that before making any such order, he shall call upon the Registrar to show cause why such an order should not be made, and if any cause is shown within a reasonable time, he shall consider the same. (11) The Visitor shall have such other powers as may be prescribed by the Statutes. --- Section 10. Section 10.Officers of the University. --- The following shall be the officers of the University: (1) the Chancellor; (2) the Vice-Chancellor; (3) the Pro-Vice-Chancellor; (4) the Deans of Schools; (5) the Registrar; (6) the Finance Officer; and (7) such other officers as may be declared by the Statutes to be officers of the University. --- Section 11. Section 11.The Chancellor. --- (1) The Governor of the State of Assam shall be the Chancellor of the University. (2) The Chancellor shall, by virtue of his office, be the Head of the University. (3) The Chancellor shall, if present, preside at the convocation of the University held for conferring degrees. --- Section 12. Section 12.The Vice-Chancellor. --- (1) The Vice-Chancellor shall be appointed by the Visitor in such manner as may be prescribed by the Statutes. (2) The Vice-Chancellor shall be the principal executive and academic officer of the University and shall exercise general supervision and control over the affairs of the University and give effect to the decisions of all the authorities of the University. (3) The Vice-Chancellor may, if he is of the opinion that immediate action is necessary on any matter, exercise any power conferred on any authority of the University by or under this Act and shall report to such authority at its next meeting the action taken by him on such matter: Provided that if the authority concerned is of the opinion that such action ought not to have been taken, it may refer the matter to the Visitor whose decision thereon shall be final: Provided further that any person in the service of the University who is aggrieved by the action taken by the Vice-Chancellor under this sub-section shall have the right to represent against such action to the Executive Council within three months from the date on which decision on such action is communicated to him and thereupon the Executive Council may confirm, modify or reverse the action taken by the ViceChancellor. (4) The Vice-Chancellor, if he is of the opinion that any decision of any authority of the University is beyond the powers of the authority conferred by the provisions of this Act, the Statutes or the Ordinances or that any decision taken is not in the interest of the University, may ask the authority concerned to review its decision within sixty days of such decision and if the authority refuses to review the decision either in whole or in part or no decision is taken by it within the said period of sixty days, the matter shall be referred to the Visitor whose decision thereon shall be final. (5) The Vice-Chancellor shall exercise such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Statutes or the Ordinances. --- Section 13. Section 13.The Pro-Vice-Chancellor. --- The Pro-Vice-Chancellor shall be appointed in such manner and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as may be prescribed by the Statutes. --- Section 14. Section 14.Deans of Schools. --- Every Dean of School shall be appointed in such manner and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as may be prescribed by the Statutes. --- Section 15. Section 15.The Registrar. --- (1) The Registrar shall be appointed in such manner as may be prescribed by the Statutes. (2) The Registrar shall have the power to enter into agreement, sign documents and authenticate records on behalf of the University and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as may be prescribed by the Statutes. --- Section 16. Section 16.The finance officer. --- The Finance Officer shall be appointed in such manner and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as may be prescribed by the Statutes. --- Section 17. Section 17.Other officers. --- The manner of appointment and powers and duties of the other officers of the University shall be prescribed by the Statutes. --- Section 18. Section 18.Authorities of the University. --- The following shall be the authorities of the University:-- (1) the Board of Management; (2) the Planning and Academic Committee; (3) the Academic Council; (4) the Planning Board; (5) the Boards of Studies; (6) the Finance Committee; and (7) such other authorities as may be declared by the Statutes to be the authorities of the University. --- Section 19. Section 19.The Board of Management. --- (1) The Board of Management shall be the principal executive body of the University. (2) The constitution of the Board of Management, the term of office of its members and its powers and functions shall be prescribed by the Statutes. --- Section 20. Section 20.The Planning and Academic Committee. --- (1) There shall be constituted a Planning and Academic Committee of the University which shall advise the Board of Management on matters relating to the University academic and development activities and oversee, review, monitor the development of the University and keep under review the standard of education and research in the University. (2) The constitution of the Planning and Academic Committee, the term of office of its members and its powers and duties shall be prescribed by the Statutes. (3) The Visitor may determine a date with effect from which the Planning and Academic Committee shall stand dissolved. --- Section 21. Section 21.The Academic Council. --- (1) The Academic Council shall be the principal academic body of the University and shall, subject to the provisions of this Act, the Statutes and the Ordinances, co-ordinate and exercise general supervision over the academic policies of the University. (2) The constitution of the Academic Council, the term of office of its members and its powers and functions shall be prescribed by the Statutes. --- Section 22. Section 22.The Planning Board. --- (1) The Planning Board, as and when constituted, shall be the principal planning body of the University. (2) The constitution of the Planning Board, term of office of its members and its powers and functions shall be prescribed by the Statutes. --- Section 23. Section 23.The Boards of Schools. --- The constitution, powers and functions of the Boards of Schools shall be prescribed by the Statutes. --- Section 24. Section 24.The Finance Committee. --- The constitution, powers and functions of the Finance Committee shall be prescribed by the Statutes. --- Section 25. Section 25.Other authorities of the University. --- The constitution, powers and functions of other authorities, as may be declared by the Statutes to be the authorities of the University, shall be prescribed by the Statutes. --- Section 26. Section 26.Power to make Statutes. --- Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Statutes may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:-- (a) the constitution, powers and functions of the authorities and other bodies of the University, as may be constituted from time to time; (b) the election and continuance in office of the members of the said authorities and bodies, the filling up of vacancies of members, and all other matters relating to those authorities and other bodies for which it may be necessary or desirable to provide; (c) the appointment, powers and duties of the officers of the University and their emoluments; (d) the appointment of teachers, academic staff and other employees of the University, their emoluments and other conditions of service; (e) the appointment of teachers, academic staff working in any other University or organisation for a specific period for undertaking a joint project; (f) the conditions of service of employees including provision for pension, insurance and provident fund, the manner of termination of service and disciplinary action; (g) the principles governing the seniority of service of the employees of the University; (h) the procedure for arbitration in cases of dispute between employees or students and the University; (i) the procedure for appeal to the Board of Management by any employee or student against the action of any officer or authority of the University; (j) the conferment of autonomous status on a College or an Institution or a Department; (k) the establishment and abolition of Schools, Departments, Centres, Halls, Colleges and Institutions; (l) the conferment of honorary degrees; (m) the withdrawal of degrees, diplomas, certificates and other academic distinctions; (n) the institution of fellowships, scholarships, studentships, medals and prizes; (o) the delegation of powers vested in the authorities or officers of the University; (p) the maintenance of the discipline among the employees and students; (q) all other matters which by this Act are to be or may be provided for by the Statutes. --- Section 27. Section 27.Statutes how to be made. --- (1) The first Statutes are those set out in the Second Schedule. (2) The Board of Management may, from time to time, make new or additional Statutes or may amend or repeal the Statutes referred to in sub-section (1): Provided that the Board of Management shall not make, amend or repeal any Statutes affecting the status, powers or constitution of any authority of the University until such authority has been given an opportunity of expressing an opinion in writing on the proposed changes, and any opinion so expressed shall be considered by the Board of Management. (3) Every new Statute or addition to the Statute or any amendment or repeal of a Statute shall require the assent of the Visitor who may assent thereto or withhold assent or remit to the Board of Management for consideration. (4) A new Statute or a Statute amending or repealing an existing Statute shall have no validity unless it has been assented to by the Visitor. (5) Notwithstanding anything contained in the foregoing sub-sections, the Visitor may make new or additional Statutes or amend or repeal the Statutes referred to in sub-section (1), during the period of three years immediately after the commencement of this Act: Provided that the Visitor may, on the expiry of the said period of three years, make, within one year from the date of such expiry, such detailed Statutes as he may consider necessary and such detailed Statutes shall be laid before both Houses of Parliament. (6) Notwithstanding anything contained in the foregoing sub-section, the Visitor may direct the University to make provisions in the Statutes in respect of any matter specified by him and if the Board of Management is unable to implement such direction within sixty days of its receipt, the Visitor may, after considering the reasons, if any, communicated by the Board of Management for its inability to comply with such direction, make or amend the Statutes suitably. --- Section 28. Section 28.Power to make Ordinances. --- (1) Subject to the provisions of this Act and the Statutes, the Ordinances may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:-- (a) the admission of students to the University and their enrolment as such; (b) the courses of study to be laid down for all degrees, diplomas and certificates of the University; (c) the medium of instruction and examination; (d) the award of degrees, diplomas, certificates and other academic distinctions, the qualifications for the same and the means to be taken relating to the granting and obtaining of the same; (e) the fees to be charged for courses of study in the University and for admission to the examinations, degrees and diplomas of the University; (f) the conditions for award of fellowships, scholarships, studentships, medals and prizes; (g) the conduct of examinations, including the term of office and manner of appointment and the duties of examining bodies, examiners and moderators; (h) the conditions of residence of the students of the University; (i) the special arrangements, if any, which may be made for the residence discipline and teaching of women students and the prescribing of special courses of studies for them; (j) the appointments and emoluments of employees other than those for whom provision has been made in the Statutes; (k) the establishment of Centres of Studies, Boards of Studies, Special Centres, Specialised Laboratories and other Committees; (l) the manner of co-operation and collaboration with other Universities and authorities including learned bodies or associations; (m) the creation, composition and functions of any other body which is considered necessary for improving the academic life of the University; (n) such other terms and conditions of service of teachers and other academic staff as are not prescribed by the Statutes; (o) the management of Colleges and Institutions established by the University; (p) the setting up of a machinery for redressal of grievances of employees; and (q) all other matters which by this Act or the Statutes may be provided for by the Ordinances. (2) The first Ordinances shall be made by the Vice-Chancellor with the previous approval of the Central Government and the Ordinances so made may be amended, repealed or added to at any time by the Board of Management in the manner prescribed by the Statutes. --- Section 29. Section 29.Regulations. --- The authorities of the University may make Regulations, consistent with this Act, the Statutes and the Ordinances for the conduct of their own business and that of the Committees, if any, appointed by them and not provided for by this Act, the Statutes or the Ordinances, in the manner prescribed by the Statutes. --- Section 30. Section 30.Annual report. --- (1) The annual report of the University shall be prepared under the direction of the Board of Management, which shall include, among other matters, the steps taken by the University towards the fulfilment of its objects. (2) The annual report so prepared shall be submitted to the Visitor on or before such date as may be prescribed by the Statutes. (3) A copy of the annual report as prepared under sub-section (1), shall also be submitted to the Central Government, which shall, as soon as may be, cause the same to be laid before both Houses of Parliament. --- Section 31. Section 31.Annual accounts. --- (1) The annual accounts and balance-sheet of the University shall be prepared under the directions of the Board of Management and shall, once at least every year and at intervals of not more than fifteen months, be audited by the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India or by such persons as he may authorise in this behalf. (2) A copy of the annual accounts together with the audit report thereon shall be submitted to the Visitor. (3) Any observations made by the Visitor on the annual accounts shall be brought to the notice of the Board of Management and the observations of the Board of Management, if any, shall be submitted to the Visitor. (4) A copy of the annual accounts together with the audit report as submitted to the Visitor, shall also be submitted to the Central Government, which shall, as soon as may be, cause the same to be laid before both Houses of Parliament. (5) The audited annual accounts after having been laid before both Houses of Parliament shall be published in the Gazette of India. --- Section 32. Section 32.Conditions of service of employees. --- (1) Every employee of the University shall be appointed under a written contract, which shall be lodged with the University and a copy of which shall be furnished to the employee concerned. (2) Any dispute arising out of the contract between the University and any employee shall, at the request of the employee, be referred to a Tribunal of Arbitration consisting of one member appointed by the Board of Management, one member nominated by the employee concerned and an umpire appointed by the Visitor. (3) The decision of the Tribunal shall be final and no suit shall lie in any civil court in respect of the matters decided by the Tribunal. (4) Every request made by the employee under sub-section (2), shall be deemed to be a submission to arbitration upon the terms of this section within the meaning of the Arbitration Act, 1940 (2 of 1940). (5) The procedure for regulating the work of the Tribunal shall be prescribed by the Statutes. --- Section 33. Section 33.Procedure of appeal and arbitration in disciplinary cases against students. --- (1) Any student or candidate for an examination whose name has been removed from the rolls of the University by the orders or resolution, of the Vice-Chancellor, Discipline Committee or Examination Committee, as the case may be, and who has been debarred from appearing at the examinations of the University for more than one year, may, within ten days of the date of receipt of such orders or copy of such resolution by him, appeal to the Board of Management and the Board of Management may confirm, modify or reverse the decision of the Vice-Chancellor or the Committee, as the case may be. (2) Any dispute arising out of any disciplinary action taken by the University against a student shall, at the request of such student, be referred to a Tribunal of Arbitration and the provisions of sub-sections (2), (3), (4) and (5) of section 32 shall, as far as may be, apply to a reference made under this sub-section. --- Section 34. Section 34.Right to appeal. --- Every employee or student of the University or of a College or Institution maintained by the University shall, notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, have a right to appeal within such time as may be prescribed by the Statutes, to the Board of Management against the decision of any officer or authority of the University or of the Principal of any College or Institution, as the case may be, and thereupon the Board of Management may confirm, modify or reverse the decision appealed against. --- Section 35. Section 35.Provident and pension funds. --- (1) The University shall constitute for the benefit of its employees such provident or pension fund or provide such insurance schemes as it may deem fit in such manner and subject to such conditions as may be prescribed by the Statutes. (2) Where such provident fund or pension fund has been so constituted, the Central Government may declare that the provision of the Provident Funds Act, 1925 (19 of 1925), shall apply to such fund, as if it were a Government provident fund. --- Section 36. Section 36.Disputes as to constitution of University authorities and bodies. --- If any question arises as to whether any person has been duly elected or appointed as, or is entitled to be, a member of any authority or other body of the University, the matter shall be referred to the Visitor whose decision thereon shall be final. --- Section 37. Section 37.Constitution of Committees. --- Where any authority of the University is given power by this Act or the Statutes to appoint Committees, such Committees shall, save as otherwise provided, consist of the members of the authority concerned and of such other person, if any, as the authority in each case may think fit. --- Section 38. Section 38.Filling of casual vacancies. --- 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 appointed, elected or co-opted the member whose place has become vacant and person appointed, elected of co-opted to a casual vacancy shall be a member of such authority or body for the residue of the term for which the person whose place he fills would have been a member. --- Section 39. Section 39.Proceedings of University authorities or bodies not invalidated by vacancies. --- No act or proceedings of any authority or other body of the University shall be invalid merely by reason of the existence of a vacancy or vacancies among its members. --- Section 40. Section 40.Protection of action taken in good faith. --- No suit or other legal proceedings shall lie against any officer or other employee of the University for anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done in pursuance of any of the provisions of this Act, the Statutes or the Ordinances. --- Section 41. Section 41.Mode of proof of University record. --- A copy of any receipt, application, notice, order, proceeding, resolution of any authority or Committee of the University, or other documents in possession of the University, or any entry in any register duly maintained by the University, if certified by the Registrar, shall be received as prima facie evidence of such receipt, application, notice, order, proceeding, resolution or documents or the existence of entry in the register and shall be admitted as evidence of the matters and transactions therein where the original thereof would, if produced, have been admissible in evidence, notwithstanding anything contained in the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (1 of 1872) or in any other law for the time being in force. --- Section 42. Section 42.Power to remove difficulties. --- (1) If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of this Act, the Central Government may, by order published in the Official Gazette, make such provisions, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, as appear to it to be necessary or expedient for removing the difficulty: Provided that no such order shall be made under this section after the expiry of three years from the commencement of this Act. (2) Every order made under this section shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each House of Parliament. --- Section 43. Section 43.Transitional provisions. --- Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act and the Statutes,-- (a) the first Vice-Chancellor shall be appointed by the Visitor and the said officer shall hold office for a term of five years; (b) the first Registrar and the first Finance Officer shall be appointed by the Visitor and each of the said officers shall hold office for a term of three years; (c) the first Board of Management shall consist of not more than eleven members who shall be nominated by the Visitor and they shall hold office for a term of three years; (d) the first Academic Council and the first Planning Board shall be constituted on the expiry of a period of ten years from the commencement of this Act and during the said period of ten years, the powers and functions of these two authorities shall be exercised and performed by the Planning and Academic Committee constituted under section 20: Provided that if any vacancy occurs in the above offices or authorities, the same shall be filled by appointment or nomination, as the case may be, by the Visitor, and the persons so appointed or nominated shall hold office for so long as the officer or member in whose place he is appointed or nominated would have held that office, if such vacancy had not occurred. --- Section 44. Section 44.Statutes, Ordinances and Regulations to be published in the Official Gazette and to be laid before Parliament. --- (1) Every Statute, Ordinance or Regulation made under this Act shall be published in the Official Gazette. (2) Every Statute, Ordinance or Regulation made under this Act shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each House of Parliament, while it is in session, for a total period of thirty days which may be comprised in one session or in two or more successive sessions, and if, before the expiry of the session immediately following the session or the successive sessions aforesaid, both Houses agree in making any modification in the Statute, Ordinance or Regulation or both Houses agree that the Statute, Ordinance or Regulation should not be made, the Statute, Ordinance or Regulation shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; so, however, that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that Statute, Ordinance or Regulation. (3) The power to make Statutes, Ordinances or Regulations shall include the power to give retrospective effect from a date not earlier than the date of commencement of this Act, to the Statutes, Ordinances or Regulations or any of them but no retrospective effect shall be given to any Statute, Ordinance or Regulation so as to prejudicially affect the interests of any person to whom such Statute, Ordinance or Regulation may be applicable.