(1) The Council shall consist of a Chairman who shall be the Minister-in-charge of the Hill Affairs Branch of the Department of Development and Planning and a Vice-Chairman who shall be the Minister of State-in-charge of the Hill Affairs Branch of the Department of Development and Planning and the following other members, namely:—
(a) the Vice-Chairman, State Planning Board, West Bengal, ex-officio;
(b) the Secretary to the Government of West Bengal in the Department of Development and Planning, ex-officio;
(c) the Commissioner, Jalpaiguri Division, ex-officio;
(d) the Deputy Commissioner, Darjeeling, ex-officio;
(e) seventeen other members to be nominated by the State Government.
(2) The term of office of the members referred to in clause (e) of sub-section (1) shall be for such period as may be prescribed.