Section 21. Search-cum-Selection Committee.

21. Search-cum-Selection Committee.--- (1) The Central Government shall, on the recommendation of a Search-cum-Selection Committee, appoint the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and the Secretary of the Commission. (2) The Search-cum-Selection Committee shall consist of the following persons, namely:--- (a) the Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare--Chairperson; (b) the Secretary or his nominee, not below the rank of Additional Secretary of Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education--member; (c) four experts, possessing outstanding qualifications and experience of not less than twenty-five years in the field of allied and healthcare education, public health education and health research to be nominated by the Central Government--members; (d) one person, possessing outstanding qualifications and experience of not less than twenty-five years in the field of management or law or economics or science and technology to be nominated by the Central Government--member; and (e) Additional Secretary to the Government of India in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Convener--member. (3) The Central Government shall, within a period of three months from the date of occurrence of any vacancy, including by reason of death, resignation or removal of the Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson or Secretary of the Commission or within three months before the end of tenure of the Chairperson or ViceChairperson or Secretary of the Commission, make a reference to the Search-cum-Selection Committee for selection of Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson or Secretary. (4) The Search-cum-Selection Committee shall recommend a panel of at least three names for each vacancy. (5) The Search-cum-Selection Committee shall, before recommending any person for appointment of the Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson or Secretary, satisfy itself that such person does not have any financial or other interest which is likely to affect prejudicially his functions as such Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson or Secretary. (6) No appointment of the Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson or Secretary of the Commission shall be invalid merely by reason of any vacancy or absence of a member in the Search-cum-Selection Committee. (7) Subject to the provisions of sub-sections (3) to (6), the Search-cum-Selection Committee may regulate its own procedure.