(1) The Board shall consist of nine Directors who shall be nominated by the State Government:
Provided that the Chief Minister, Himachal Pradesh, shall be ex-officio Director and Chairman of the Board:
Provided further that not less than two Directors shall be nominated from amongst the persons who have special knowledge of rural conditions of Himachal Pradesh and interest in the upliftment of antyodaya families:
1 [Provided further that if it is expedient so to do the State Government may nominate any of the Directors to be the Vice-Chairman of the Board and he shall perform such duties and exercise such powers as may be assigned to him or conferred upon him, as the case may be, by the Board under subsection (3) of section 15 of the Act.]
(2) On the occurrence of any vacancy in the Office of a director 2[or the Vice Chairman] due to death, resignation or otherwise, the same shall be filled up by the State Government in the manner provided in sub-section (1).
(3) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the terms and conditions of appointment of the directors 3[and the Vice-Chairman] and the fees and allowances payable to them, shall be such as may be prescribed.