(1) The Government may, by notification, declare each area specified therein attached to a processing factory as a Zone (hereinafter referred to as ‘a factory zone’) and the Oilpalm Commissioner may constitute a Zonal Committee for each such zone;
Provided that the Oilpalm Commissioner may, with the approval of the Government, constitute one Zonal Committee for more than one factory zone or more than one Zonal Committee for each factory zone, if it is deemed necessary in the interests of effectively carrying out the purposes of this Act.
(2) The Zonal Committee constituted under sub-section (1), shall consist of the following members, namely:-
(a) a Chairman nominated by the Oilpalm Commissioner, with the approval of the Government, from among the oilpalm growers residing in the factory zone;
(b) one person representing the factory located in the factory zone to be nominated by the Managing Director of the factory concerned;
(c) four persons from among the oilpalm growers to be nominated by the oilpalm commissioner;
(d) the Joint Director of Agriculture, the Assistant Director of Agriculture and the Executive Engineer (Agricultural Engineering), representing the area;
(e) a representative of the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University to be nominated by its Vice-Chancellor;
(f) the Oilpalm Inspector concerned, who shall be the Member-Secretary of the Committee:
Provided that the members specified in clause (d) shall have the right to take part in the meetings of the Zonal Committee but shall not be entitled to vote at any such meeting :
(3) The Zonal Committee shall be a body corporate having perpetual succession and common seal with power to acquire, hold and dispose of property and to enter into contracts and shall by the said name succeed be sued.
(4) The term of the Zonal Committee shall be three years and upon its expiry, the Committee shall be reconstituted in accordance with the provisions of sub-section (1)
Provided that if the Oilpalm Commissioner is satisfied that it is necessary so to do, he may with the approval of the Government, by order, dissolve the committee, before the expiry of its term;
Provided further that the Oilpalm Commissioner shall not pass any such order unless the committee has had an opportunity of making its representation.
(5) When a Zonal Committee is dissolved, the following consequences shall follow:-
(a) all the members shall vacate their offices on the date specified in the order but without prejudice to their eligibility for renomination as members;
(b) the committee may be reconstituted within three months of its dissolution by the Oilpalm Commissioner in accordance with the provisions of sub-section (1) Constitution of Zonal Committee
(c) the powers and functions of the committee shall, pending its re-constitution be exercised and performed by the Member-Secretary subject to such restrictions as may be specified in the order.
(6) The Oilpalm Commissioner may, with the approval of the Government, remove any member of the Zonal Committee, including the Chairman, from his office after recording the reasons in writing for such removal:
Provided that the order removing a member shall not be passed by the Oilpalm Commissioner unless such member has had an opportunity of making his representation.
(7) Subject to the provisions of this Act or any rule made there under, the Zonal Committee may, by order, regulate its procedure in respect of the conduct of meeting.