KARACHI, Jan 10: Sindh Governor Mohammedmian Soomro on Thursday promulgated the Sindh Information Technology Board (SITB) Ordinance, 2002 which will come into force at once.

Under the ordinance, the government may establish a board to be called the Sindh Information Technology Board.

The board shall be a corporate body having perpetual succession and a common seal with power, to acquire, hold and dispose of property and shall by the said name sue and be sued.

The board shall consist of a chairperson, a vice-chairperson and 11 members, at least five of whom shall be from the private sector to be appointed by the government.

The terms and conditions of the chairperson shall be determined by the government.

A member of the board other than an official member shall hold office at the pleasure of the government.

A member other than an official member may at any time by writing under his hand resign from his office by addressing a letter to the government.

The board may coopt any person as a member for any particular purpose but such a person shall not have right of vote.

No act, proceedings or decision of the board shall be invalid by reason of any vacancy or defect in the constitution of the board.

The board shall take all such measures and exercise such powers as it deems necessary for carrying out the purposes of this ordinance.

Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing powers, the board may — (a) promote or develop, use of information technology; (b) formulate and enforce any scheme for the purpose of this ordinance; (c) procure necessary equipments for its proper functioning; (d) make provision for research, consultancy and advisory service and with these objects to enter into arrangements with other institutions or with public or private bodies, international donor agencies and foreign governments under the prescribed conditions; (e) promote commerce and business in relation to information technology; (f) hire such number of qualified personnel as are required for the smooth functioning of the board; (g) facilitate investment into various sectors of the information technology; (h) establish a Sindh Accreditation Council for standardisation on the quality control of information technology education and training under the prescribed conditions; (i) to do such other acts and things as may be necessary to further the objectives of the board.

The chairperson shall perform such functions as may be prescribed by rules or assigned to him by the board.

(1) The board may delegate any of its powers to the chairperson, vice-chairperson or any officer of the board for smooth functioning of the board.

(2) The chairperson may also delegate any of his powers to any officer of the board.

(1) Any matter required to be decided by the board shall be decided in a meeting of the board by vote of majority of members present in such a meeting.

(2) The meetings of the board shall be held in such a manner at such time and place, as may be prescribed by regulations, provided that until regulations are made in this behalf, the meeting shall be held in the manner as directed by the chairperson.

(3) Each member shall have one vote and in the case of tie, the chairperson shall exercise a casting vote.

The board may appoint such officers, advisors, consultants and staff as may be necessary for the efficient performance of its functions in such manner and on such terms and conditions as may be prescribed by the board.

(1) There shall be a fund to be known as the Information Technology Board Fund which may vest in the board and to which shall be credited all moneys, including funds provided by the government or any body, authority and sums receivable by the board.

(2) The fund shall be kept in such custody and shall be utilised and regulated in such a manner as may be prescribed.

The budget of the board shall be prepared, approved and its accounts shall be maintained and audited in such a manner as may be prescribed.

(1) government may at any time require the board to furnish to it any documents, returns, statement, statistics or any other information regarding any matter, under the control of the board and the board shall comply with such a requisition.

(2) government may from time to time give direction, as it considers necessary for the guidance of and compliance by the board.

The board shall, soon after expiry of each financial year, furnish an annual report to government on the conduct of its affairs for that year.

The government may make rules for carrying out, the purposes of this Ordinance. Subject to this Ordinance and the rules, the board may make regulations for carrying out the purposes of this ordinance.—APP