The Housing and Building Research Institute Ordinance, 1977
An Ordinance to provide for the establishment of a Housing and Building Research Institute.
An Ordinance to provide for the establishment of a Housing and Building Research Institute. WHEREAS it is expedient to provide for the establishment of a Housing and Building Research Institute and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto; NOW, THEREFORE, in pursuance of the Proclamations of the 20th August, 1975, and 8th November, 1975, and in exercise of all powers enabling him in that behalf, the President is pleased to make and promulgate the following Ordinance:-
Section 1. Short title
This Ordinance may be called the Housing and Building Research Institute Ordinance, 1977.
Section 2. Definitions
In this Ordinance, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context,-
Section 3. Establishment of the Institute
(1) On the commencement of this Ordinance, there shall be established an Institute to be called the Housing and Building Research Institute for carrying out the purposes of this Ordinance.
(2) The Institute shall be a body corporate having perpetual succession and a common seal, with power, subject to the provisions of this Ordinance, to acquire, hold and dispose of property, both movable and immovable, and shall by the said name sue and be sued.
Section 4. Head office, etc.
(1) The head office of the Institute shall be located at Dacca.
(2) The Institute may establish branches at such places as the Council may decide.
Section 5. Management
The general direction and superintendence of the affairs and business of the Institute shall vest in a Governing Council which may exercise all powers and do all acts and things which may be exercised or done by the Institute.
Section 6. Constitution of the Council
(1) The Council shall consist of the following members, namely:-
(2) The nominated members shall hold office for a term of two years.
(3) If any casual vacancy occurs in the office of a nominated member, a new member shall be nominated by the authority concerned to fill such vacancy.
Section 7. Functions of the Institute
The functions of the Institute shall be-
Section 8. Meetings of the Council
(1) Meetings of the Council shall be convened by the Secretary of the Council, in consultation with the Chairman, at least twice in a year.
(2) At least ten days' notice shall be given for convening a meeting of the Council and such notice shall specify the agenda of the meeting and the date on which, and the time and place at which, the meeting shall be held.
(3) Emergency meetings of the Council may be convened on twenty-four hours' notice.
(4) Six members shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of the Council.
(5) The Chairman and, in his absence, the Vice-Chairman shall preside over the meetings of the Council.
(6) All matters at a meeting of the Council shall be decided by the votes of the majority of the members present and voting.
(7) At a meeting of the Council each member shall have one vote and in the event of equality of votes the person presiding shall have a second or casting vote.
(8) No act or proceeding of the Council shall be invalid merely on the ground of existence of any vacancy in, or any defect in the constitution of, the Council.
Section 9. Executive Committee
(1) There shall be an Executive Committee consisting of the following members, namely:-
(2) A nominated member of the Committee shall hold office for a period of three years.
(3) The meetings of the Committee shall be convened by the Director at such time and place as he may specify and shall be presided over by him.
(4) The Committee shall-
Section 10. Director of the Institute
(1) There shall be a Director of the Institute who shall be appointed by the Government for a period of five years on such terms and conditions as the Government may determine.
(2) When any temporary vacancy in the office of the Director occurs by reason of leave, illness or other cause, the Council shall make such arrangement for carrying out the functions of his office as it may deem fit.
(3) The Director shall be the whole-time chief executive officer of the Institute.
(4) The Director shall be responsible to ensure that the provisions of this Ordinance and the rules and regulations made thereunder are observed.
(5) In an emergency arising out of the business of the Institute and requiring, in the opinion of the Director, immediate action, the Director may take such action as he may deem necessary and shall report to the Council for approval of the action so taken as early as possible.
(6) The Director may, subject to such conditions as may be prescribed, delegate any of his powers to any officer or employee of the Institute.
(7) The Director shall exercise such other powers as may be prescribed or as may be assigned to him, from time to time, by the Council.
Section 11. Appointment of officers, etc.
The Institute may appoint such officers and other employees as it considers necessary for the efficient performance of its functions in such manner and on such terms and conditions as may be prescribed.
Section 12. Committees
The Council may, from time to time, appoint such committees as may be necessary to discharge such functions as may be assigned to them by the Council or to assist the Director in the performance of his functions.
Section 13. Fund of the Institute
(1) The Institute shall have its own fund which shall be utilised by it to meet charges in connection with its functions under this Ordinance.
(2) The fund of the Institute shall consist of-
(3) All money in the fund of the Institute shall be deposited with any bank approved by the Council.
Section 14. Budget
The Council shall, by such date before the commencement of every financial year as the Government may direct, submit to the Government for approval a budget, in such form as the Government may specify, for each financial year showing the estimated receipts and expenditure and the sums which are likely to be required from the Government during that financial year.
Section 15. Accounts
The Institute shall maintain its accounts in such manner and form as the Government may direct.
Section 16. Audit
(1) The accounts of the Institute shall be audited by the Comptroller and Auditor-General of Bangladesh (hereinafter referred to as the Auditor-General) in such manner as he deems fit.
(2) For the purpose of audit under sub-section (1) the Auditor-General or any person authorised by him in this behalf shall have access to all books, accounts, securities, stores and other properties of the Institute and may examine the members of the Council or any officer or employee of the Institute.
(3) The Auditor-General shall submit his audit report to the Government and shall forward a copy thereof to the Institute.
Section 17. Reports, etc.
(1) The Institute shall furnish to the Government such reports and statements on expenditure and on the progress of approved research programmes as the Government may, from time to time, require.
(2) As soon as may be after the end of every financial year the Institute shall submit to the Government an annual report on the conduct of its affairs for that year.
Section 18. Public servants
The members of the Council and the officers and employees of the Institute shall, while acting or purporting to act in pursuance of the provisions of this Ordinance or any rule or regulation made thereunder, be deemed to be public servants within the meaning of section 21 of the Penal Code (XLV of 1860).
Section 19. Indemnity
No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding shall lie against any member of the Council or any officer or employee of the Institute for anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done under this Ordinance or any rule or regulation made thereunder.
Section 20. Power to make rules
The Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Ordinance.
Section 21. Powers to make regulations
(1) The Council may, with the prior approval of the Government, make regulations, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Ordinance and the rules made thereunder, to provide for all matters for which provision is necessary or expedient for the purpose of giving effect to the provisions of this Ordinance.
(2) All regulations made under this section shall be published in the official Gazette and shall come into force on such publication.
Section 22. Abolition of Housing and Building Research Centre
Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force or in any rules or regulations, on the commencement of this Ordinance, the Housing and Building Research Centre at Dar-us-Salam, Mirpur, Dacca, hereinafter referred to as the said Centre, shall stand abolished and upon such abolition-
Provided that an officer or employee of the said Centre may, within such time as may be specified by the Institute, exercise his option not to continue in the service of the Institute.