Rule 7 - Power of the Authority to Expenditure - Special Economic Zone Authority Rules, 2009

7. Power of the Authority to Expenditure. - (1) All expenditure of the Authority except as specified in the sub-rule (2) below, shall be approved by the Authority. (2) The Chairperson shall have,— (i) powers to approve minor works and maintenance works of the Zone; (ii) powers to approve recurring expenditure in connection with :- (a) Salaries, (b) Overtime allowances, (c) Travel Expenses, (d) Advertisement and Publicity, (e) Rent, Rates, Taxes, (f) Professional services and legal expenses, and Explanation : Minor works and maintenance works mentioned at clause (i) above means work costing less than rupees fifty lakhs per work. (iii) powers to approve contingent expenditure both recurring and non-recurring: Provided that the expenditure so incurred does not exceed Rupees Fifty lakhs at a time: Provided further that the Authority concerned shall be competent to incur such expenditure beyond rupees fifty lakhs. (3) The Chairperson of the Authority shall be competent to approve the official tours of other members and officers of the Authority undertaken in connection with the affairs of the Authority both within and outside the country in accordance to the rules applicable to the officers of the Central Government of equivalent rank posted at those places: Provided that the Chairperson shall be self controlling officer in respect of all travels: Provided further that prior sanction of the Central Government shall be obtained for the official travels of the Chairperson outside the country. (4) The Authority shall be competent to prescribe the entitlements regarding mode of travel, hotel accommodation, daily allowance, road mileage and other incidental expenditure in connection with the official functioning of its Chairperson and other employees as are applicable to the officers of the Central Government of equivalent rank posted at these places. (5) There shall be a complete ban on extension of service of any Officer or employee of the Authority beyond the age of superannuation which shall be on par with the employees of the Central Government. (6) The Authority shall have powers to write off irrecoverable losses of its property on account of theft, fraud, negligence, natural calamity, fire and irrecoverable lease rent, licence fee and other user charges in respect of the assets and services of the Authority, including irrecoverable dues on account of Court orders and statutory proceedings: Provided that any write-off of losses beyond the sum of rupees one lakh shall be with the prior approval of the Central Government: Provided further that in all cases of write-off of losses full details and reasons for doing so shall be recorded in writing. (7) The Authority may enter into any contract for the discharge of its functions under the Act: Provided that every agreement or contract for technical collaboration or consultation with foreign Governments or their firms shall require the prior sanction of the Central Government. (8) All cheques and all pay orders for making deposit or investment or withdrawals of the sums or for the disposal in any manner of the funds of the Authority, - (a) shall be signed by two officers of the Authority nominated by the Chairperson for this purpose, if the cheques or pay orders are for an amount not exceeding rupee ten lakhs; and (b) shall be signed by the Chairperson of the Authority and the Secretary if exceeds rupee ten lakhs: Provided that in the absence of the Secretary such cheques or pay orders shall be signed by the Chairperson and any other officer of the Authority.