Back

AUROVILLE FOUNDATION ACT, 1988

AUROVILLE FOUNDATION ACT, 1988

54 of 1988

[29th September, 1988]

The cultural township of Auroville, situated about 10 Kms. north of pondicherry, was founded on 28th February, 1968, on the basis of a charter announced by the Mother where people of different countries are expected to live together in harmony in one community and are expected to engage themselves in cultural, educational, scientific and other pursuits aiming at human unity. 2. The formation and growth of Auroville was welcomed by the Government of India as a concrete effort of creating international understanding. Resolutions were also sponsored by the Government of India in four general conferences of UNESCO, commending Auroville project to those interested in UNESCO's ideals. However, soon after the Mother left her body in 1973. unhappy developments overtook this project and the Central Government was forced to take over temporarily the manageinent of auroville from Sri Aurobindo Society and others under the Auroville (Emergency Provisions) Act, 1980 (59 of 1980). Initially, the Act was valid for 5 years but it had to be extended further in 1985 and 1987 as the efforts made to arrive at a solution, in consultation with the residents of Auroville and Sri Aurobindo Society, to provide for the permanent management of Auroville, had not succeeded. Efforts were. however, continued and a broad consensus has now emerged that it would be in the interest of further development of Auroville to establish a body corporate called the Auroville Foundation. 3. The properties relatableto Auroville which are currently owned by Sri Aurobindo Society and other trusts and bodies founded by the Residents of Auroville will vest mm the new body corporate. The management of all properties and assets relatable to Auroville is presently with the Administrator of Auroville appointed underthe Auroville (Emergency Provisions) Act, 1980. These assets were created by Sri Aurobindo Society and other bodies substantially with the aid of donations received from different organizations and individuals in and outside India (including the Central and State Governments) for purposes and activities of Auroville which under the proposed legislation will become the responsibility of the Foundation. The Government, therefore, proposes to acquire these assets without payment of any compensation and vest these in the proposed Auroville Foundation whose primary objective shall be to encourage and promote ideals and programmes envisaged in the charter of Auroville proclaimed by the Mother which are cherished in equal degree by the Sri Aurobindo Society and the Residents of Auroville. 4. As in the existing Auroville Act, there shall be an International Advisory Council to advise the Central Government and the Governing Board of the Foundation on matters concerning development and management of Auroville. The day to day activities will be looked after by the Residents through appropriate autonomous arrangements, 5. The management of the Foundation will vest in a Governing Board, as constituted by the Government from time to time. In order to avoid old controversies getting perpetuated in the Governing Board, the Government has decided in principle that none of the existing societies or trusts will have a right or representation on the Governing Board. All nominations to this body will, therefore, be on individual basis. 6. The Bill incorporates the provisions mentioned above. -Gaz. of Ind., 31-8-1988, Pt. II, S. 2, Ext" p. 23 (No. 46).

An Act to provide for the acquisition and transfer of the undertakings of Auroville and to vest such undertakings in a foundation established for the purpose with a view to making long-term arrangements for the better management and further development of Auroville in accerdamce with its original charter and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. WHEREAS Auroville was founded by the 'Mother' on the 28th day of February, 1968 as an international cultural township; AND WHEREAS in view of the serious difficulties which had arisen with regard to the management of Auroville, the management thereof had been vested in the Central Government for a limited period by the Auroville (Emergency Provisions) Act, 1980; AND WHEREAS under the management of the Central Government and under the overall guidance of the International Advisory Council set up under the aforesaid Act, Auroville had been able to develop during the last eight years along several important lines and the residents of Auroville have also carried on activities for the development of Auroville which need further encouragement and consolidation; AND WHEREAS Auroville was developed as a cultural township with the aid of funds received from different organisations in and outside India as also from substantial grants received from the Central and State Governments, and the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation also had from time to time reflected in its resolutions that the project on Auroville is contributing to international understanding and promotion of peace; AND WHEREAS for the purpose of encouraging continuing and consolidating the aforesaid activities of Auroville. it is necessary in the public interest to acquire the undertakings of Auroville and to vest them in a body corporate established for the purpose: BE it enacted by Parliament in the Thirty-ninth Year of the Republic of India as follows :-

CHAPTER 01: PRELIMINARY

SECTION 01: SHORT TITLE

This Act may be called The Auroville Foundation Act, 1988.

SECTION 02: DEFINITIONS

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,-

(a) "appointed day" means the date of commencement of this Act;

(b) "Auroville" means so much of the undertakings as form part of, or are relatable to, the cultural township which is known as Auroville and the charter of which was proclaimed by the 'Mother' on the 28th day of February, 1968;

(d) "Custodian" means the person who is appointed as the Custodian under sub-section (2) of section 7-in respect of the undertakings;

(e) "Foundation" means the Auroville Foundation established under sub-section (1) of section 10-;

(f) "Governing Board" means the Governing Board of the Foundation constituted under subsection (1) of section 11-;

(g) "notification" means a notification published in the Official Gazette;

(h) "prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under this Act;

(i) "Residents' Assembly" means the Residents' Assembly of the Foundation;

(J) ''Society" means Sri aurobindo Society, being a Society as defined inthe West Bengal Societies Regsitration Act, 1961, and having its registered office at Calcutta in the State of West Bengal;

(k) "specified date" means such date as the Central Government may, for the purpose of section 9- , by notification, specify;

(1) "trust" or "body" means a trust or body specified in the Schedule:

(m) "undertakings" means the undertakings of the Society, trust or body which had vested in the Central Government under section 3-.

CHAPTER 02: ACQUISITION AND TRANSFER OF UNDERTAKINGS OF AUROVILLE

SECTION 03: TRANSFER TO, AND VESTING IN, THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OF CERTAIN UNDERTAKINGS OF THE SOCIETY, TRUSTS AND BODIES

On the appointed day, so much of the undertakings of the Society, trust and body as form part of, or are relatable to Auroville, and the right, title and interest of the Society, trust and body, in relation to such undertakings shall, by virtue of this Act, stand transferred to, and vest in, the Central Government.

SECTION 04: GENERAL EFFECT OF VESTING

(1) The undertakings vested under section 3-shall be deemed to include all the assets, rights, leaseholds, powers, authorities and privileges, and all property (movable and immovable), including lands, buildings, works, workshops, projects, stores, instruments, machinery, automobiles and other vehicles, cash balances, funds, including reserve funds, investments and book debts of the Society, trust or body as form part of. or are relatable to, Auroville and all other rights and interests arising out of such properties as were immediately before the appointed day in the ownership, possession, power or control of the Society, trust or body, whether within or without India, and all books of account, registers, maps, plans and all other documents of whatever nature relating thereto.

(2) All properties and assets as aforesaid which have vested in the Central Government under section 3-shall, by force of such vesting, be freed and discharged from any trust, obligation, mortgage, charge, lien and all other incumbrances affecting them or of any attachment, njuneton, decree or order of any court or other authority restricting the use of such properties or assets in any matter or appointing any receiver in respect of the whole or any part of such properties of assets shall be deemed to have been withdrawn.

(3) Any licence or other instrument granted to the Society, trust or body in relation to any undertaking which was vested in the Central Government under section 3-at any time before the appointed day and in force immediately before the appointed day, shall continue to be in force on and after such day in accordance with its tenor in relation to and for the purposes of such undertaking or where the undertaking is directed under section 6-to vest in the Foundation, the Foundation shall be deemed to be substituted in such licence or other instrument as if such licence or other instrument had been granted to the Foundation and the Foundation shall hold it for the remainder of the period for which the Society, trust or body would have held it under the terms thereof.

(4) If, on the appointed day, any suit, appeal or other proceeding, of whatever nature, in relation to any property or asset which has vested in the Central Government under section 3-, instituted or preferred by or against the Society, trust or body is pending, the same shall not abate, be discontinued or be, in any way, prejudicially affected by reason of the transfer of the undertakings of the Society, trust or body or of anything contained in this Act, but the suit, appeal or other proceeding may be continued, prosecuted or enforced by or against the Central Government, or where the undertakings of the Society, trust or body are directed under section 6-to vest in the Foundation, by or against the Foundation.

SECTION 05: CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OR FOUNDATION TO BE LIABLE FOR CERTAIN PRIOR LIABILITIES

Every liability in relation to any undertaking in respect of any period prior to the appointed day shall be enforceable against the Central Government and not against the Society, trust or body, or where the said undertakings are directed, under section 6-, to vest in the Foundation, against the Foundation.

SECTION 06: POWER OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT TO DIRECT VESTING OF THE UNDERTAKINGS IN THE FOUNDATION

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in section 3-and4-, the Central Government shall, as soon as may be after the appointed day, direct, by notification, that the undertakings and the right, title and interest of the Society, trust or body in relation to such undertakings which had vested in the Central Government under section 3-, shall, instead of continuing to vest in the Central Government, vest in the Foundation either on the date of publication of the notification or on such earlier or later date as may be specified in the notification.

(2) Where the right, title and interest of the Society, trust or body in relation to the undertakings vest, under sub-section (1), in the Foundation, the Foundation shall, on and from the date of such vesting, be deemed to have become the owner in relation to such undertakings and the rights and liabilities of the Central Government in relation to such undertakings shall, on and from the date of such vesting, be deemed to have become, the rights and liabilities respectively, of the Foundation.

SECTION 07: MANAGEMENT, ETC. OF THE UNDERTAKINGS

(1) The general superintendence, direction, control and management of the affairs of the undertakings, the right, title and interest in relation to which have vested in the Central Government under section 3-, shall,-

(a) where a direction has been made by the Central Government under sub-section (1) of section 6-vest in the Foundation; or

(b) where no such direction has been made by the Central Government vest in a Custodian appointed by the Central Government under sub-section (2). and, thereupon, the Foundation, or the Custodian so appointed, as the case may be, shall be entitled to exercise all such powers and do all such things as the Society, trust or body, as the case may be, is authorised to exercise and do in relation to its undertakings.

(2) The Central Government may appoint any person as the Custodian of the undertakings in relation to which no direction has been made by it under sub-section (1) of section 6-.

(3) The Custodian so appointed shall receive such remuneration as the Central Government may fix and shall hold office during the pleasure of the Central Government.

SECTION 08: DUTIES OF PERSONS IN CHARGE OF MANAGEMENT BY UNDERTAKINGS TO DELIVER ALL ASSETS

(1) On the vesting of the management of the undertakings in the Foundation or on the appointment of a Custodian under section 7-, all persons in charge of the management of the undertakings immediately before such vesting or appointment shall be bound to deliver to the Foundation or Custodian, as the case may be, all assets, books of account, registers and other documents in their custody relating to the undertakings.

(2) The Central Government may issue such directions as it may deem desirable in the circumstances of the case to the Custodian as to the powers and duties of the Custodian and such Custodian may also, if it is considered necessary so to do, apply to the Central Government at any time for instructions as to the manner in which the management of the undertakings shall be conducted or in relation to any other matter arising in the course of such management.

(3) Any person, who on the appointed day, has in his possession or under this control, any books, documents or other papers relating to the undertakings shall be liable to account for the said books, documents or other papers to the Central Government or the Foundation, as the case may be, and shall deliver them up to the Central Government or the Foundation or to such person or body of persons as the Central Government or the Foundation may specify in this behalf.

(4) The Central Government or the Foundation may take or cause to be taken, all necessary steps for securing possession of all undertakings which have vested in the Central Government or the Foundation under this Act.

(5) The Society, trust or body shall, within such period as the Central Government may allow in this behalf, furnish to that Government a complete inventory of all its properties and assets, as on the appointed day pertaining to the undertakings and, for this purpose, the Cemtral Government or the Foundation shall afford to the Society, trust or body all reasonable facilities.

SECTION 09: CERTAIN POWERS OF THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OR THE FOUNDATION

The Central Government or the Foundation shall be entitled to receive up to the specified date to the exclusion of all other persons, any money due to the Society, trust or body in relation to its undertakings which have vested in the Central Government or the Foundation, as the case may be, and realised after the appointed day, notwithstanding that the realisation pertains to a period prior to the appointed day.

CHAPTER 03: THE AUROVILLE FOUNDATION

SECTION 10: ESTABLISHMENT AND INCORPORATION OF THE FOUNDATION

(1) With effect from such date as the Central Government may, by notification, appoint in this behalf, there shall be established for the purpose of this Act, a Foundation, to be called the Auroville Foundation.

(2) The Foundation 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 Foundation shall consist of the following authorities, namely:-

(a) the Governing Board;

(b) the Residents' Assembly;

SECTION 11: GOVERNING BOARD

(1) The Governing Board shall conalst of the following members, namely:-

(i) not more than seven members to be nomlnated by the Central Government from amongst persons, who have-

(a) rendered valuable service to Auroville;

(b) dedicated themselves to the ideals of life-long education synthesis of material and spiritual researches or human unity;

(c) contributed significantly in activities that are being persued or are envisaged to be promoted in Auroville, including activities relating to environment, afforestation, arts and crafts, industry, agriculture, humanities, sciences and integral yoga;

(ii) two representatives of the Central Government to be nominated by it.

(2) The Central Government shall nominate a Chairman of the Governing Board from amongst the members nominated by it under clause (i) of sub-section (1).

(3) The general superintendence, direction and management of the affairs of the Foundation shall vest in the Governing Board which may exercise all the powers and discharge all the functions which may be exercised or discharged by the Foundation.

(4) The Governing Board may associate with itself in such manner and for such purposes as may be prescribed any persons whose assistance or advice it may desire in complying with any of the provisions of this Act and a person so associated shall have the right to take part in the discussions of the Governing Board relevant to the purposes for which he has been associated but shall not have the right to vote.

(5) No act or proceeding of the Governing Board or any committee appointed by it under section 16-shall be invalidated merely by reason of,-

(a) any vacancy, or any defect in the constitution of, the Governing Board or such committee; or

(b) any defect in the nomination of a person acting as a member of the Governing Board or such committee; or

SECTION 12: TERM OF OFFICE OF MEMBERS

(1) Subject to the provisions of the this section, the term of office of the members of the Governing Board including the Chairman shall be four years from the date of their nomination.

(2) An outgoing member of the Governing Board shall be eligible for re-nomination.

(3) The term of office of a member nominated to fill a casual vacancy in the Governing Board shall continue for the remainder of the term of the member in whose place he is nominated.

(4) A member may resign his office by writing under his hand addressed to the Central Government but he shall continue in office until his resignation is accepted by that Government.

SECTION 13: SALARY AND ALLOWANCES AND OTHER CONDITIONS OF SERVICE OF CHAIRMAN

The Chairman of the Governing Board shall be entitled to such salary and allowances and such conditions of service in respect of leave, pension, provident fund and other matters as may, from time to time, be fixed by the Central Government.

SECTION 14: MEETINGS OF THE GOVERING BOARD

(1) The Governing Board shall meet at least once a year at Auroville at such time as may be fixed by the Chairman of the Governing Board.

(2) All the decisions at any meeting of the Governing Board shall be taken by a majority of the members present and voting: Provided that in the case of equality of votes, the Chairman of the Governing Board shall have a casting vote.

SECTION 15: SECRETARY AND OTHER OFFICERS OF THE FOUNDATION

(1) The Central Government shall appoint a Secretary to the Foundation to exercise such powers and perform such duties under the Chairman of the Governing Board as may be prescribed or as may be delegated to him by the Chairman.

(2) The Secretary shall be entitled to such salary and allowances and such conditions of service in respect of leave, pension, provident fund and other matters as may, from time to time, be fixed by the Central Government.

(3) Subject to such control, restrictions and conditions as may be prescribed, the Governing Board may appoint such other officers and employees as may be necessary for the efficient performance of its functions.

(4) The Chairman, Secretary and other officers and employees of the Foundation shall not undertake any work unconnected with their duties under this Act except with the permission of the Central Government.

SECTION 16: COMMITTEES OF THE GOVERNING BOARD

(1) The Governing Board may appoint such committees as may be necessary for the efficient discharge of its duties and performance of its functions under this Act.

(2) The Governing Board shall have the power to co-opt as members of any committee appointed under sub-section (1), such number of persons who are not members of the Governing Board as it may think it, and the persons so co-opted shall have the right to attend the meetings of the committee, and take part in the proceedings of the committee, but shall not have the right to vote.

SECTION 17: POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE GOVERNING BOARD

The powers and functions of the Governing Board shall be-

(a) to promote the ideals of Auroville and to co-ordinate activities and services of Auroville in consultation with the Residents' Assembly for the purposes of cohesion and integration of Auroville;

(b) to review the basic policies and the programmes of Auroville and give necessary directions for the future development of Aucoville:

(d) to monitor and review the activities of Auroville and to secure proper management of the properties vested in the Foundation under section 6-and other properties relatable to Auroville;

(e) to prepare a master-plan of Auroville in consultation with the Residents' Assembly and to ensure development of Auroville as so planned;

(f) to authorise and co-ordinate fund-raising for Auroville and to secure proper arrangements for receipts and disbursement of funds for Auroville.

SECTION 18: RESIDENTS' ASSEMBLY

(1) The Residents' Assembly shall consist of all the residents of Auroville who are for the time being entered in the register of residents maintained under this section.

(2) The Secretary to the Governing Board shall maintain the register of residents in such manner as may be prescribed and all the persons who are residents of Auroville and who are of the age of eighteen years and above are entitled to have their names entered in the register on an application made to the Secretary in such form as may be prescribed.

(3) All the names of residents, which have been included in the register maintained by the Administrator appointed under section 5 of the Auroville (Emergency Provisions) Act, 1980- immediately before the appointed day, shall be deemed to have been included in the register maintained under this section.

SECTION 19: FUNCTIONS OF RESIDENTS' ASSEMBLY

(1) The Residents' Assembly shall perfom such functions as are required by this Act and shall advise the Governing Board in respect of all activities relating to the residents of Auroville.

(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the foregoing powers, the Residents' Assembly may-

(a) allow the admission or cause the termination of persons in the register of residents in accordance with the regulations made under section 33-;

(b) organise various activities relating to Auroville:

(c) formulate the master plan of Auroville and make necessary recommendations for the recognition of organisations engaged in activities relatable to Auroville for the approval of the Governing Board;

(d) recommend proposals for raising funds for Auroville for the approval of the Governing Board.

(3) For the purpose of carrying on its functions, the Residents' Assembly may establish such committees as it may consider necessary which shall represent it in relation to the functions to be performed by the Governing Board.

SECTION 20: WORKING COMMITTEE OF RESIDENTS' ASSEMBLY

(1) There shall be a Working Committee of the Residents' Assembly which shall assist the Residents' Assembly or, as the case may be, the Governing Board, in discharging its duties under this Act.

(2) The Working Committee shall consist of not more than seven members to be chosen by the Residents' Assembly from among themselves.

(3) The manner of choosing the members of the Working Committee and their term of office shall be such as may be decided by the Residents' Assembly.

(4) The Working Committee may, with the approval of the Governing Board, create or constitute other organisations, trusts, societies or associations relatable to Auroville if the Working Committee is satisfied that such organisations, trusts, societies or associations have-

(a) their headquarters at Auroville;

(b) declared that in all matters relating to Auroville they shall act in conformity with the decisions of the Governing Board and that their main object is to promote the ideals laid down in the Charter of Auroville proclaimed by the 'Mother' on the 28th day of February, 1968.

SECTION 21: ADVISORY COUNCIL

(1) The Auroville International Advisory Council shall consist of not more than five members nominated by the Central Government.

(2) The Central Government may nominate the members of the Council from amongst persons who in its opinion are devoted to the ideals of human unity, peace and progress.

(3) The Council may, on its own motion or on a reference made to it by the Governing Board, advise the Governing Board on any matter relating to the development and management of Auroville.

(4) In tendering any advice to the Governing Board, the Council shall endeavour to secure that-

(a) the ideals for which Auroville has been established are encouraged, and

(b) the residents of Auroville are allowed freedom to grow and develop activities and institutions for the fulfilment of the aspirations and programmes envisaged in the said Charter of Auroville.

(5) There shall be a Chairman of the Council who shall be elected by the members of the Council from among themselves.

(6) The term of office of, the method of filling casual vacancies among, and the allowances and other remuneration, if any payable to, the members of the Council, shall be such as

+Clients Back

+Lawyers

+Law Students

+Law Schools

Central Act

AUROVILLE FOUNDATION ACT, 1988

Lawyers Network

Users

Cities Serving

Law Schools Network

Law Students Network