The powers and functions of the Member-Secretary of the Union Territory of Puducherry Authority, Inter alia, shall be –
(a) to give free legal services to the eligible and weaker sections of the society;
(b) to work out modalities of the Legal Services Schemes and programmes approved by the Union Territory of Puducherry Authority and ensure their effective monitoring and implementation;
(c) to exercise the powers in respect of administrative, housekeeping, finance and budget matters as a Head of the Department in the Government of Puducherry;
(d) to manage, administer and maintain the properties, records and funds of the Union Territory of Puducherry Authority;
(e) to maintain true and proper accounts of the Union Territory of Puducherry Authority including checking and auditing in respect thereof periodically;
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(f) to prepare annual income and expenditure account and balance-sheet of the said Authority;
(g) to liaise with the Social Action Groups and District and Taluk Legal Services Authorities;
(h) to maintain up-to-date and complete statistical information including progress made in the implementation of various Legal Services Programmes from time to time;
(i) to process proposals for financial assistance and issue utilisation certificate thereof;
(j) to organise various Legal Services ‘Programmes as approved by the Union Territory of Puducherry Authority and convene meetings, seminars and workshops connected with Legal Services Programmes and preparation of reports and, take followup action thereon;
(k) to produce video/documentary films, publicity materials, literature and publications to inform general public about the various aspects of the Legal Services Programmes;
(1) to lay stress on the resolution of Rural Disputes and to take extra measures to draw schemes for effective and meaningful legal services for settling Rural Disputes at the door-steps of the rural people;
(m) to perform such of the functions as are assigned to him under the schemes formulated under section 4(b) of the Act; and
(n) to perform such other functions as may be necessary for expeditious and efficient functioning of the Union Territory of Puducherry Authority and as may be directed by the Partron-in-Chief or the Executive Chairman of the Union Territory of Puducherry Authority from time to time.