The MALNAD AREA DEVELOPMENT BOARD ACT, 1991

THE MALNAD AREA DEVELOPMENT BOARD ACT, 1991 ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS Statement of Object and Reasons Sections: CHAPTER I 1. Short title extent and commencement 2. Definitions CHAPTER II 3. Constitution of the Board 4. Term of office and conditions of service 5. Dis-qualification for office of membership 6. Removal of member 7. Secretary 8. Meetings of the Board 9. Proceedings presumed to be good and valid 10. Implementation Committee 11. Powers of Implementation Committee CHAPTER III 12. Preparation of Plan and Approval of Schemes 13. Supervision 14. Co-ordination 15. Implementation of schemes 16. Obtaining Information 17. Delegation of power CHAPTER IV 18. Fund of the Board 19. Application of the fund 20. Allocation in plan 20A. Power of the Government to direct the Board 21. Grant by State Government 22. Power to borrow 23. Account and Audit CHAPTER V 24. Report 25. Budget of the Board 26. Power to make rules 27. Power of Board to make Regulatios SCHEDULE ***** 1 STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS I Act 36 of 1991.- Malnad region poses special problems of development mainly due to peculiar settlement pattern, sparce population, topography, heavy rain fall, dense forest, numerous rivulets, etc. In order to hasten the phase of development of this area for bringing it to the level of other parts of the State it was considered necessary to have a comprehensive legislation which among other things provides for the following:- (i) establishment of a Malnad Area Development Board; and (ii) Constitution of an Implementation Committee; (iii) empowering the Board to prepare a plan for the development of the Malnad Area and to supervise implementation of the schemes under the plan and to co-ordinate the functioning of all development Departments and the Zilla Parishads in the Malnad Area; (iv) Provide for making financial allocation in the State Plan to the Board. Certain consequential provisions are also made. Hence the Bill. (Published in Karnataka Gazette (Extraordinary) Part IV-2A, dt.27.9.1991 as No.614.) II Amending Act 18 of 1993.-It is considered necessary to amend the Malnad Area Development Board Act, 1991 to provide for,- (i) appointment of an Officer not below the rank of Divisional Commissioner instead of an Officer not below the rank of Development Commissioner as the Secretary of the Board; (ii) conducting the meetings of the Board even at the State Head-quarters; (iii) recognition of non-Governmental Organisations for formulation of scheme and other consequential matters; (iv) empowering the State Government to issue such directions in the public interest, to the Board which are necessary to carryout the purpose of the Act; and other consequential amendments; (iv) inclusion of Chamarajanagara within the meaning of "Malnad Area". Hence the Bill. (Obtained from L.A. Bill No.16 of 1993) III Amending Act 34 of 1994.- It is considered necessary to amend the Schedule to the Malnad Area Development Board Act, 1991 to include Honnali Taluk within the meaning of "Malnad Area". Hence the Bill. (Obtained from L.A. Bill No.7 of 1994) 2 IV Amendment Act 09 of 2026:- It is considered necessary to amend the Malnad Area Development Board Act, 1991 (Karnataka Act 36 of 1991) to include the members of the Karnataka Legislative Council who has registered as electors and who have selected District or Taluk as Nodal Districts or Taluks lie within the jurisdiction of the said area of the Board. Hence, the Bill. [L.A. Bill No. 75 of 2025, File No. SAMVYASHAE 90 SHASANA 2025] [Entry 32 of List II of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India] [Published in Karnataka Gazette Extra-ordinary No.23 in part-IVA dated:08.01.2026] 3 KARNATAKA ACT NO. 36 OF 1991 (First published in the Karnataka Gazette Extra-ordinary on the Tenth Day of December, 1991) THE MALNAD AREA DEVELOPMENT BOARD ACT, 1991 (Received the assent of the Governor on the Seventh day of December, 1991) (As amended by Acts 18 of 1993, 34 of 1994 and 9 of 2026) An Act to provide for establishment of a Development Board for Malnad Area which shall prepare an annual plan containing programmes and projects for development of Malnad Area, supervise the implementation of projects and programmes; and monitor and evaluate the implementation of its plan. WHEREAS it is expedient to provide for establishment of a Development Board for Malnad Area, which shall prepare annual plan containing programmes and projects for development of Malnad Area, supervise the implementation of projects and programmes; and monitor and evaluate the implementation of its plan; BE it enacted by the Karnataka State Legislature in the Forty-second year of the Republic of India as follows:- CHAPTER I 1. Short title, extent and commencement.- (1) This Act may be called the Malnad Area Development Board Act, 1991. (2) It extends to the whole of Malnad Area. 1 1 (3) It shall come into force on such [date] as the State Government may, by notification, appoint. 1. Act came into force on 10.03.1992 by notification 2. Definitions.- In this Act unless the context otherwise requires,- (a) 'Board' means, the Malnad Area Development Board constituted under section 3; (b) 'Chairman' means, the Chairman of the Board; (c) 'Development Department' means, all Departments of the State Government functioning in Malnad Area including any body or corporation established by the State Government by or under any law, having jurisdiction over that area but excluding Police and Judicial departments; (d) 'Implementation Committee' means, the Implementation Committee constituted under section 10; (e) 'Malnad Area' means, the area specified in the schedule appended to this Act. (f) 'Member' means, a Member of the Board; (g) 'Plan' means the annual plan prepared by the Board for development of Malnad Area but excluding the district plan of the Zilla Parishads and the plan of various development departments; 4 (h) 'Secretary' means Secretary of the Board. CHAPTER II 3. Constitution of the Board.- (1) As soon as may be, after the commencement of this Act, there shall be established for the purposes of this Act, a Board for Malnad Area to be called the Malnad Area Development Board, with headquarters at Shimoga. (2) The Board shall be a body corporate by the name aforesaid having perpetual succession and a common seal with power to acquire, hold and dispose of property, both movable and immovable, and to contract and shall by the said name sue and be sued. (3) The Board shall consist of the following members, namely:- (a) Members of the Parliament and the State Legislature representing a part or whole of Malnad Area whose constituencies lie within the jurisdiction of the Board; 2[(a-a) Members of the Karnataka Legislative Council who have selected District or Taluk as Nodal District or Taluk within the jurisdiction of the Malnad Area;]2 (b) The Adhyakshas of the Zilla parishads having jurisdiction over Malnad Area; (c) Not exceeding ten persons nominated by the State Government of whom two persons shall be from amongst the persons belonging to Scheduled Castes and one from Scheduled Tribes, (d) The Secretary of the Board, and (e) The Deputy Commissioner of each district in Malnad Area. (4) The State Government shall appoint a person from amongst the members to be the Chairman of the Board. (5) The State Government shall also appoint an officer not below the rank of 1 1 the [Divisional Commissioner] to be the Secretary of the Board. (6) The State Government shall provide the Board with such other officers and employees as it considers necessary for carrying out the functions of the Board under this Act. (7) The administrative expenses of the Board including the salaries, allowances and pensions payable to the Secretary and other officers and employees of the Board shall be defrayed out of the Fund of the Board. 1. Substituted by Act 18 of 1993 w.e.f. 18.05.1993. 2. Inserted by Act 09 of 2026 w.e.f. 08.01.2026 4. Term of office and conditions of Service.- (1) Subject to the pleasure of the State Government the Chairman and other members appointed by the State Government shall hold office for a period of three years. 5 (2) The Chairman or a member other than an ex-officio member may resign his office by writing under his hand addressed to the State Government but shall continue in office until his resignation is accepted. (3) The Chairman and other members shall receive such allowances as may be prescribed. (4) The allowances payable to the Chairman and other members shall be defrayed out of the Fund of the Board. (5) No act or proceedings of the Board shall be invalid by reason only of the existence of any vacancy or defect in the constitution of the Board. 5. Disqualification for office of membership.- (1) A person shall be disqualified for being appointed as and for being a member, if he,- (a) has been convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for an offence which in the opinion of the State Government involves moral turpitude; or (b) is of unsound mind and stands so declared by a competent court; or (c) is an undischarged insolvent; or (d) has been removed or dismissed from service of the Central Government or a State Government or a body or corporation owned or controlled by the Central Government or a State Government; or (e) has directly or indirectly by himself or his partner any share or interest in any work done by the order of the Board or in any contract or employment with or under or by or on behalf of the Board; (f) is employed as a paid legal practitioner on behalf of the Board or accepts employment of legal practitioner against the Board. (2) A person shall not be disqualified under clause (e) of sub-section (1) or be deemed to have any share or interest in any contract or employment within the meaning of the said clause by reason only of his having a share or interest in any newspaper in which any advertisement relating to the affairs of the Board is inserted. 6. Removal of member.- The State Government shall remove the Chairman or other member if,- (a) he becomes subject to any of the disqualifications mentioned in section 5: Provided that no Chairman or member shall be removed on the ground that he has become subject to the disqualification mentioned in clause (e) of sub-section (I) of that section, unless he has been given an opportunity of making his representation against the proposal; or (b) he refuses to act or becomes incapable of acting; or (c) he without obtaining leave of absence from the Board, absents from three consecutive meetings of the Board; or (d) in the opinion of the State Government he has so abused his position as to render his continuance in office detrimental to the public interest: 6 Provided that no member shall be removed under this clause unless he has been given an opportunity of making his representation against the proposal. 7. Secretary.- (1) The Secretary shall receive such salary and other allowances as the State Government may determine from time to time. (2) The State Government may grant from time to time leave of absence to the Secretary; (3) The Secretary shall be the Chief Executive of the Board and shall,- (a) be responsible for implementing the schemes approved by the Board; (b) operate the fund of the Board; (c) cause to be maintained accounts of the Board; and (d) discharge such other functions which are conferred on him by or under this Act or any other law for the time being in force. 8. Meetings of the Board.- 1[(1) The meetings of the Board shall be convened by the Chairman or by the Secretary, with the prior approval of the Chairman and shall be held at any place within the jurisdiction of the Board or at 1 the State Headquarters.] 1. Substituted by Act 18 of 1993 w.e.f. 18.05.1993. (2) The Board shall meet at least once in every three months. (3) The Chairman may if he feels it necessary, convene a special meeting 1[or the Secretary, with the prior approval of the Chairman may convene such meeting which shall be held at any place within the jurisdiction of the Board or at the State Headquarters.]1 1. Inserted by Act 18 of 1993 w.e.f. 18.05.1993. (4) The Board shall observe such rules of procedure in regard to the transaction of business at its meetings as may be provided by regulations. (5) Every meeting shall be presided over by the Chairman and if for any reason, the Chairman is unable to attend any meeting, any other member chosen by the members present at the meeting shall preside at the meeting. (6) Twenty members shall form the quorum. 9. Proceedings presumed to be good and valid.- No disqualification of or defect in the appointment of any person acting as Chairman or member shall be deemed to vitiate any act or proceeding of the Board if such act or proceeding is otherwise in accordance with the provisions of this Act. 10. Implementation Committee.- There shall be an Implementation Committee consisting of the following members, namely:- (a) Secretary of the Board who shall be the Chairman; (b) The Divisional Commissioners of Bangalore, Belgaum and Mysore Divisions; (c) The Deputy Commissioner of each district in Malnad Area; 7 (d) The Chief Secretaries of the Zilla Parishads having jurisdiction over Malnad Area; (e) The Administrator of the Command Area Development Authorities constituted for the Command Area in relation to Irrigation Projects in the Malnad Area; (f) The Director of Agriculture; (g) The Director of Collegiate Education; (h) The Director of Animal Husbandry; (i) The Director of Health and Family Welfare Services; (j) The Director of Social Welfare; (k) The Chief Engineers having jurisdiction over Malnad Area; (l) The Commissioner for Public Instruction; (m) The Chief Conservator of Forests having jurisdiction over Malnad Area; (n) The Vice Chancellor of the University established under the Karnataka State University Act, 1976 to be nominated by the State Government; (o) Such other officers as appointed by the State Government. 11. Powers of Implementation Committee.- (1) The Implementation Committee shall exercise such of the powers of the Board which are delegated to it by the Board. (2) The Implementation Committee shall meet at least once in a month. (3) The Implementation Committee shall observe such rules of procedure in regard to the transaction of business at its meetings as may be provided by regulations. CHAPTER III 12. Preparation of plan and approval of schemes.- (1) The Board shall every year prepare an annual plan for the developments of Malnad Area and forward it to the State Government for approval. The State Government may approve the plan with or without modification. (2) Subject to the provisions of this Act and the control of the State Government, schemes formulated in accordance with the plan, by development 1 departments [,Zilla Parishads and Non-Governmental Organisations recognised 1 by the Board] functioning in Malnad Area shall be approved by the Board. 1. substituted by Act 18 of 1993 w.e.f. 18.05.1993. 13. Supervision.- The Board shall have power to supervise and review the progress of expenditure incurred under the plan and performance of various 1 development departments, [Zilla Parishads and Non-Governmental 1 Organisations recognised by the Board functioning] in Malnad Area with reference to the plan. 1. Inserted by Act 18 of 1993 w.e.f. 18.05.1993. 8 14. Co-ordination.- The Board shall co-ordinate functioning of all 1 developmental departments, [Zilla Parishads, and Non-Governmental 1 Organisations recognised by the Board] which implement in Malnad Area the development schemes included in its plan and shall also review the personnel 1 position of such development departments, [Zilla Parishads and Non- 1 Governmental Organisations recognised by the Board ] and may make suggestions in this behalf to the State Government. 1. substituted by Act 18 of 1993 w.e.f. 18.05.1993. 15. Implementation of schemes.- The Board shall be responsible for implementation of schemes included in annual plan and five years plans through 1 the development departments, [Zilla Parishads and Non-Governmental 1 Organisations recognised by the Board] functioning in the Malnad Area. The Board may subject to such rules as may be prescribed reappropriate funds from one development department to another, if for any reason a development department is not likely to incur full expenditure out of the amount allocated to it under the plan. 1. Substituted by Act 18 of 1993 w.e.f. 18.05.1993. 16. Obtaining information.- The Board may for the purposes of this Act seek and obtain information from any Zilla Parishads in Malnad Area or from any officer of the State Government having jurisdiction over any area in Malnad Area and such Zilla Parishad or officer shall be bound to furnish the information sought by the Board. 17. Delegation of power.- The Board may by notification delegate to the 1 1 [Implementation Committee or the Secretary of the Board] any of the powers conferred on it by or under this Act except the power to make regulations under section 27. 1. Substituted by Act 18 of 1993 w.e.f. 18.05.1993. CHAPTER IV 18. Fund of the Board.- (1) There shall be a fund called the Board Fund. (2) The following shall form part of, or be paid into, the Board fund, namely:- (i) all grants, subventions, donations and gifts made by the Central Government, State Government, any local authority, any body whether incorporated or not or any persons; (ii) the amount borrowed by the Board; and (iii) all other sums received by or on behalf of the Board from any source whatsoever. (3) Except as otherwise directed by the State Government all money credited to the fund shall be invested in any Scheduled Bank. 19. Application of the Fund.- The Board fund and all property held or vested in the Board shall be applied for the administration of this Act. 9 20. Allocation in plan.- The State Government shall keeping in view the plan of the Board make financial allocations to the Board in the annual plan of the State. 1 [20A. Power of the Government to direct the Board.- Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act or in any other law for the time being in force, if in the opinion of the State Government it is expedient in public interest so to do, it may, by general or special order issue such directions to the Board as are necessary to carry out the purposes of the Act, It shall be the duty of the Board to 1 comply with such directions.] 1. Inserted by Act 18 of 1993 w.e.f. 18.05.1993. 21. Grant by State Government.- The State Government shall every year make a grant to the Board of a sum equivalent to the administrative expenses of the Board. 22. Power to borrow.- The Board may from time to time with the previous sanction of the State Government and subject to such conditions as may be prescribed in this behalf, borrow any sum required for the purposes of this Act. 23. Account and audit.- (1) Accounts of the income and expenditure of the Board Fund shall be kept in accordance with such rules as may be prescribed. (2) The Board shall prepare an annual statement of accounts in such form as may be prescribed. (3) The accounts of the Board shall be audited annually by such Auditor as the State Government may appoint. (4) The Auditor shall for the purposes of the audit, have access to all the accounts and other records of the Board. (5) The Board shall pay from its fund such charges for the audit as may be prescribed. (6) As soon as may be after the receipt of the report of the Auditor, the Board shall send a copy of the annual statement of accounts, together with a copy of the report of the Auditor to the State Government and shall cause to be published the annual Statement of accounts in such manner as may be prescribed. (7) The State Government may after perusal of the report of the Auditor give such directions as it thinks fit to the Board and the Board shall comply with such directions. CHAPTER V 24. Report.- The Board shall before such date, in such form and at such interval as may be prescribed, submit the prescribed report to the State Government. 25. Budget of the Board.- The Board shall prepare every year before such date and in such form a budget estimate of its income and expenditure for the financial year to commence on the first day of April next following and shall forward it to the State Government. 10 26. Power to make rules.- (1) The State Government may, after previous publication, by notification make rules to carry-out the purposes of this Act. (2) Every rule made under this Act, shall be laid as soon as may be after it is made before each House of the State Legislature 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 in which it is so laid or the session immediately following both Houses agree in making any modification in the rule or decide that any rule should not be made, the rule 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 rule. 27. Power of Board to make regulations.- The Board may subject to the provisions of this Act and the rules made under Section 26 and with the previous sanction of the State Government, by notification, make regulations to carry-out the purposes of this Act. SCHEDULE (See Section 2(e) ) Sl.No. Districts Taluks 1 2 3 1. Belgaum Khanapura, Hukkeri, Belgaum , Bailahongal, Soundatti. 2. Chickmaglur Koppa, Mudigere, Shringeri, Chickmaglur, Narasimha Raja Pura, Tarikere, 1[Kadur]1. 1. Inserted by Act 34 of 1994 w.e.f. 03.10.1994. 3. Kodagu Mercara, Somvarpet, Virajpet. 4. Hassan Sakaleshapura, Alur, Belur, Hassan, Arakalagud. 5. Mysore Heggadadevanakote, Gundlupet, Periapattana, Hunasur, Kollegala, 1[Chamarajanagara]1 1. Inserted by Act 18 of 1993 w.e.f. 18.05.1993. 6. Uttara Kannada Ankola, Bhatkal, Honnavar Kumta, Karwar, Siddapur, Sirsi, Supa, Yellapur, Haliyal, Mundgod. 7. Dakshina Kannada Belthangadi, Coondapur, Karkala, Puttur, Sullya, Udupi, Mangalore, Bantwal. 8. Shimoga Hosanagara, Teerthahalli, Sagara, Shimoga, Shikaripura, Soraba, Chennageri, Bhadravathi, 1[Honnali]1. 1. Inserted by Act 34 of 1994 w.e.f. 03.10.1994. 11 9. Dharwar Dharwar, Kalaghatgi, Shiggavi, Savanur, Hanagal, Byadagi, Hirekerur. * * * * (The above translation of the ªÀį£É ÁqÀÄ ¥ÀæzÉñÁ©üªÀÈ¢Þ ªÀÄAqÀ° C¢¤ü AiÀĪÀÄ 1991, was published in the official Gazette (1991g À P£À ÁðlPÀ C¢ü¤AiÀĪÀÄ ¸AÀ SÉå: 36) (Extraordinary) Part IV-2B dated 11-2-1992 as No.83 under clause (3) of Article 348 of the Constitution of India.)  * * * NOTIFICATION Bangalore dated 10th March, 1992 [No.PD 37 DPP 92] S.O.352.- In exercise of the powers conferred by section (3) of Section 1 of Malnad Area Development Board Act , 1991 (Karnataka Act 36 of 1991) the Government of Karnataka hereby appoint the 10th day of March 1992 to be the date on which the said Act shall come into force. By Order and in the name of Governor of Karnataka, H.T. KALAIAH, Under Secretary to Government Planning Department (PP-II) (Published in the Karnataka Gazette (Extraordinary) Part IV - 2C(ii) No.136 dated 11-3-1992) * * * * KARNATAKA ACT NO. 09 OF 2026 (First published in the Karnataka Gazette Extra-ordinary on the 8th day of January, 2026) THE MALNAD AREA DEVELOPMENT BOARD (AMENDMENT) ACT, 2025 (Received the assent of the Governor on the 7th day of January, 2026) An Act further to amend the Malnad Area Development Board Act, 1991. Whereas it is expedient further to amend the Malnad Area Development Board Act, 1991 (Karnataka Act 36 of 1991), for the purposes hereinafter appearing: 12 Be it enacted by the Karnataka State Legislature in the seventy sixth year of the Republic of India, as follows:- 1. Short title and commencement.- (1) This Act may be called the Malnad Area Development Board (Amendment) Act, 2025. (2) It shall come into force at once. 2. Amendment of section 3.- In the Malnad Area Development Board Act, 1991 (Karnataka Act 36 of 1991), in section 3, in sub-section (3), after clause (a), the following shall be inserted, namely:- "(a-a) Members of the Karnataka Legislative Council who have selected District or Taluk as Nodal District or Taluk within the jurisdiction of the Malnad Area;" The above translation of ಮಲೆನಾಡು ಪ್ರ ದೇಶಾಭಿವೃದ್ಧಿ ಮಂಡಲಿ (ತಿದ್ದು ಪ್ಡಿ) ಅಧಿನಿಯಮ, 2025 (2026ರ ಕನಾಾಟಕ ಅಧಿನಿಯಮ ಸಂಖ್ಯೆ : 09) be published in the official Gazette under Article 348 of the Constitution of India. THAAWARCHAND GEHLOT GOVERNOR OF KARNATAKA By Order and in the name of the Governor of Karnataka, G. SRIDHAR Secretary to Government Department of Parliamentary Affairs and Legislation 13