1. Rules and Regulations

1.The name of the Society shall be "Kerala State Poverty Eradication Mission" in short called "Poverty Eradication &
Mission"(hereinafter referred to as the 'Mission').

2.The registered office of the Mission shall be situated at Thiruvananthapuram and its activities shall extend to the whole of the State of Kerala.

2.  In the Rules and Regulations, unless the context otherwise requires:-

      1.  The "Mission" means the "Kerala State Poverty Eradication Mission".

      2.  The "Government" means the "Government of Kerala".

      3.  "NABARD" means National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development.

      4.  "Kerala State Poverty Eradication Mission Advisory Council" means the State level advisory council under the
            Chairmanship of Chief Minister for policy guidance, overall monitoring of the Poverty Eradication Mission programmes to
            achieve the desired objectives.

      5.  "Governing Body" means the Governing Body of the Mission under the Chairmanship of Minister for Local Administration
            to take all decisions on the administration and management of the State Poverty Eradication Mission to achieve the
            objectives.

      6.  "Chairman" means the Ex-officio Chairman of the Kerala State Poverty Eradication Mission.

      7.  "Vice Chairman" means the Ex-officio Vice Chairman of the State Mission Governing Body who shall be the Secretary to
            Govt. Local Admn. Department.

      8.  "Executive Director" means the Chief Executive of the State Poverty Eradication Mission who shall be an IAS Officer
            appointed by the State Government.

      9.  "Director" means one of the directors of the Kerala State Poverty Eradication Mission appointed by the State Government
            in the State Poverty Eradication Mission Project.

    10.  "District Mission Co-ordinator" means the Co-ordinator working at the district level appointed by the state government.

    11.  "Assistant Mission Co-ordinator" means the person appointed by the State govt. to assist the District Mission Co-
            ordinator.

    12.  "Poor families" means those families identified by community by utilising the objective criteria included in the Poverty
            Index.

13."NHG" means the Neighbourhood Group formed by one woman member each from about 20 to 40 contiguous risk. families (hereinafter referred to as 'NHG')

14."ADS" means the Area Development Society constituted in one or more wards in a Gramapanchayat/Municipality
net working NHGs and functioning as branch of CDS.

    15.  "CDS" means the Community Development Society constituted in each grama Panchayath/Town for the development
            of the community net working the NHGs through ADSs (hereinafter referred to as 'CDS').

    16.  'Honorary Community Organiser' means the person preferably a woman doing honourary work in co-ordination with  the
           community organisations such as NHG, ADS and CDS of the poor women.

3.  The Aims and Objectives for which the mission established shall be as follows:

1.  Facilitating self-identification of the poor families through a transparent risk index composed of socially accepted
indicators of poverty through a participatory survey.

2.  Empowering the women among the poor to improve their individual and collective capabilities by organising them into
Neighbourhood Groups at the local level, Area Development Societies at the local government ward level and Community
Development Societies at the local government level.

3.  Encouraging thrift and investment through credit by developing CDSs to work, as "Informal Banks of the Poor".

4.  Improving incomes of the poor through upgradation of vocational and managerial skills and creation of opportunities for
self-employment and wage employment.

5.  Ensuring better health and nutrition for all poor families.

6.  Ensuring access to basic amenities like safe drinking water, sanitary latrines, improved shelter and healthy living
environment.

7.  Ensuring zero drop out in schools for all children belonging to the poor families.

8.  Promoting functional literacy among the poor and supporting continuing education.

9.  Enabling the poor to participate in the decentralisation process through the CDS, as a sub-system of the local
governments.

10.Helping the poor to fight social evils like alcoholism, smoking and drug abuse, dowry, discrimination based on
gender/religion, caste etc.

11.Providing a mechanism for convergence of all resources and services meant for alleviation of poverty in the State.

12.Collaborating with governmental and non-governmental institutions and agencies in all activities related to improving the
quality of life of the poor.

4.1.  The Governing Body of the Mission shall be the body constituted as such under the bye-laws of the Mission.

4.2.  The first members of the Mission shall be:

      1.  Minister for Local Administration Shri. Paloly Mohammedkutty.

      2.  Secretary, Local Administration Department Shri. S. M. Vijayanand.

      3.  Secretary, Finance Department Dr. K. M. Abraham.

      4.  Principal Secretary, Social Welfare Department Smt. J. Lalithambika.

      5.  Principal Secretary. SC/ST Development Department Shri. P. K. Sivanandan.

      6.  Principal Secretary, Health & Family Welfare Department Shri. V. Vijayachandran.

      7.  General Manager, NABARD Dr. John Kurian.

      8.  Secretary, General Education Department Shri. K. Jayakumar.

      9.  Secretary, Rural Development Department Shri. Amitabh Kant.

5.  Where an Ex-officio member is unable to attend the meetings of the Mission, then he can nominate another person for
attending the meeting. Such a nominee can attend proceedings of that meeting but shall not have the right to vote.

6.  The Mission shall maintain a roll of members at its registered office and every member shall sign the roll and state      therein his occupation and address.

7.  It shall be incumbent upon a member of the Mission to notify to the Executive Director any change of his address and      occupation.

8.  The Mission shall maintain a register of members containing the following particulars.

          1.  Name and address of each member

          2.  The date of which the member was admitted and

          3.  The date of which the member ceased to be a member.

9.  The first members of the Mission duly admitted shall be those persons who have signed the Memorandum of Association.

10. The Mission may admit further members subject to the approval of the Government of Kerala.

11. The membership of an Ex-officio member shall terminate when he ceases to hold that office and the vacancies so       caused shall be filled by his successor to that office.

12. Any member who desires to resign from the membership of the Mission shall present his resignation to the Executive
Director. His resignation shall take effect only on its acceptance by the Chairman of the Mission Ex-officio members can
resign only with the consent of government.

13. Any vacancy in the membership of the Mission shall be filled up by appointment or nomination by the authority or       institution entitled to do so, as the case may be.

14. The Mission shall function notwithstanding that any persons entitled to be a member by reason of his office is not
represented on the Mission for the time being. The proceedings of the Mission shall not be invalidated by the above reason,
from the existence of any vacancy or any defects in the appointment of any of its members.

15. The income and property of the Mission shall be applied towards the promotion of the objectives as set forth in the
Memorandum of Association subject, in respect of the expenditure of grants made by the Government of India/Government
of Kerala to such limitations, as the Government of India/Government of Kerala may from time to time impose. No portion
of the income and property of the Mission shall be paid or transferred directly or indirectly by way of dividends, bonus, or
otherwise how so ever by way of profits to the persons who may at anytime be or have been members of the Mission or to
any persons claiming through them, provided, that nothing herein contained shall prevent payment in good faith or
remuneration in return for any service rendered to the Mission.

16. If on the winding up or dissolution of the Mission there shall remain after the satisfaction of its debts and liabilities, any
property whatsoever the same shall not be paid to or distributed among the members of the Mission or any of them but shall
be dealt within such a manner as the Local Administration Department of Government of Kerala may determine.

17. Governing Body :

      The Kerala State Poverty Eradication Mission shall have a Governing Body with the following members, for administration
      and management of the Poverty Eradication Mission Project at State level.

      The maximum strength of the Governing Body shall be 24 excluding the Chairman and Vice-chairman.

      Chairman - Minister for Local Administration

      Vice Chairman - Secretary to Govt., Local Administration Department

      Members

         1.  Secretary to Government, Finance
         2.  Secretary to Govt., Social Welfare
         3.  Secretary to Govt., SC and ST Development
         4.  Secretary to Govt., Health & Family Welfare
         5.  Secretary to Govt., General Education
         6.  Secretary to Govt., Rural Development
         7.  Director of Panchayats
         8.  Director of Municipal Administration
         9.  Nominee of State Planning Board
       10.  General Manager, NABARD
       11.  Chairperson, State Women's Commission or her nominee
       12.  One Dist. Collector Nominated by State Govt.
       13.  One Lady Mayor nominated by State Govt.
       14.  One lady Dist. Panchayat President nominated by the State Govt.
       15.  Two Municipal Chairmen of whom one shall be a woman
       16.  Two Block Panchayath Presidents of whom one shall be a woman
       17.  Two Nominees of Panchayath Presidents Association of which one shall be a woman.
       18.  Three persons of eminence nominated by the Govt. of which at least two shall be women.
       19.  Executive Director of the Mission as Member Secretary

18. The Governing Body shall function notwithstanding that any person entitled to be a member by reason of his office is
not represented on the Governing Body for the time being. The proceedings and actions of the Governing Body shall not be
invalidated by the above reason or from the existence of any vacancy or any defects in the appointment of its members.

19. Where a person nominated or elected as a member of the Governing Body be prevented from attending a meeting, a person
may be nominated or elected by the authorities who nominate and elect the member to attend the meeting. Such a
substitute shall be entitled to take part in the proceedings of the meeting and shall not have the right to vote therein.

20. Power of Governing Body:

      1. Save as herein expressly provided, as having to be passed by the Mission in a General Meeting, all the duties, powers,
          functions and rights whatsoever or consequential and incidental to the carrying out of the objectives of the Mission shall
          only be exercised or performed by the Governing Body subject to such limitations as the Government may from time to
          time impose in respect of the expenditure of its grants.

      2. The Governing Body shall be responsible for the overall administration and management of the State Poverty Eradication
          Mission in the State. The Governing Body may in particular,

                  1.  Provide overall policy guidelines to the State Mission.

                  2.  Approve the project convergence plan of the State Mission and monitor the programme in quarterly meetings.

                  3.  Create posts in State Mission as well as District Missions as and when required with minimum basic pay not more
                       than Rs.2500 in the present scale or equivalent there of as and when pay revision takes place from time to
                       time. The posts of which minimum pay scale exceeds Rs.2500 in the present scale may be sanctioned only by
                       the Govt.

                  4.  Make amend or repeal any bye-laws relating to the administration and management of the affairs of the Mission
                       subject to the provisions contained in the T.C.L.S. C.S Registration Act, 1955.

                  5.  Consider the annual budget and its subsequent alterations placed before it by the Executive Director from time to
                       time and to pass it with such modifications as the Governing Body may think fit.

                  6.  Delegate its powers and functions to the Executive Committee that may be nominated by it with the approval
                       of the government.

                  7.  Appoint a duly qualified Auditor for auditing the accounts of the Mission.

                  8.  To take such other actions that may be necessary for the exercise of any of its powers or for the discharge of
                       any of its duties.

21. Proceedings of the Government Body:

      1.  Not less than 15 clear days notice of every meeting of the Governing Body shall be given to each member. An urgent
           meeting if required can be called with 3 days notice.

      2.  The chairman may himself call, or by a requisition in writing signed by him may require the Executive Director to call a
           meeting of the Governing Body at any time and on the receipt of such a requisition the Executive Director shall
           forthwith call such a meeting.

      3.  The Governing Body shall meet as often as necessary as decided by the Chairman but has to meet at least once in three
           months. In the absence of the Chairman, Vice-chairman can preside over the meeting. In the absence of both, arising
           out of contingencies if any, any other member authorized by the Chairman can preside over the meeting.

      4.  Each Member of the Governing Body shall have one vote and in the event of an equality of votes on any question to be
           decided, the Chairman shall have a casting vote.

      5.  In contingencies any business which it may be necessary for the Governing Body to perform may be performed by a
           resolution in writing circulated and approved by a majority of the members signing and it shall be as effectual and
           binding as a resolution passed at a meeting of Governing Body.

      6.  The quorum for meetings of the Governing Body shall be 1/3 of the total members of the Governing Body.

22. Executive Committee

Governing Body of the Mission may, if found necessary for smooth functioning of the Mission constitute an Executive
Committee with such numbers of the Mission as may be necessary, with the approval of the Government and delegate all or
any of its powers and functions to the Executive Committee from time to time. The members of the Executive Committee
may be nominated by the Governing Body with the approval of the Government in the Local Administration Department.

23. Annual General Body Meeting

      1.  The Mission shall hold an annual general body meeting at least once in every year and not more than 15 months shall
           elapse between two successive annual general meetings.

      2.  The balance sheet and the Auditor's Report shall be placed at the Annual General Body Meeting of the Mission for its
           consideration.

      3.  Quorum of the annual general body meeting shall be 2/3 of the total members.

24. The Powers of Chairman

        The Chairman shall -

          1.  Have power to preside over the meeting of the Governing Body to take decision on simple majority of the
               members present and voting.

          2.  To authorise the Vice-Chairman or any other member (in the absence of Vice-Chairman) to preside over the meeting
               in his absence.

          3.  To call for any records or documents of the State Mission or District, Block, ULG or Panchayath or CDS level,
               to examine them and to pass appropriate orders or to take appropriate steps in the implementation of
               the programme.

          4.  To invite experts or professionals or senior officers from related fields to attend particular meetings of the Governing
               Body as special invitees in the interest of the programme, provided such invited members have no voting rights on
               decisions to be taken by the Governing Body.

25. The Powers of Vice Chairman

      1.  To be the appellate authority on disciplinary proceedings taken by the Executive Director of the Mission against the
           Officers and staff. In the case of Directors and Executive Director disciplinary powers rest with the Vice Chairman
           and the Government shall be the appellate authority on the decisions taken by the Vice Chairman.

      2.  To sanction the travel by Executive Director out side the State.

      3.  To finalise the agenda for every Governing Body of the Mission.

      4.  Preside over the meeting of the Governing Body in the absence of the Chairman or as authorized by him.

26. Powers and Functions of Executive Director

      1.  The Executive Director shall be the Chief Executive of the Mission. He will be responsible for the Management and
           Administration of Office of the Mission and shall be responsible for supervising the functioning of all its Officers
           and employees including Directors. He will be responsible for all correspondence and will be the custodian of all records
           and assets of Mission.

      2.  The Executive Director shall be the disciplinary authority of the staff working at all levels of the Mission.

      3.  Have overall control and supervision over the functioning of the Mission and its Directors, officers and staff at all levels.

      4.  Appoint suitable persons against the posts sanctioned by the Government and Governing Body including contract or
           casual engagement as per the decision of the Mission Governing Body as and when required; and to assign the work
           to be done by each of them.

      5.  Incur all expenditure as approved by Governing Body.

      6.  Correspond with Govt. of India, State Govt., NABARD, UNICEF and other partner agencies and any other outside
           agencies. Conveying policy instructions to district and other subordinate bodies of the Mission.

      7.  Sanction the travel of officers and staff outside the State including that of the Directors of the Mission.

      8.  Approve tour programme of Directors.

      9.  Operate accounts in Banks as authorized by the General Body.

      10.  Convene the meetings of the Mission Governing Body with the approval of the Chairman and to prepare draft minutes
            for the approval of the Vice-Chairman.

27. Powers and Functions of Directors

      1.  Directors shall report to the Executive Director and work under his guidance and supervision in discharging their
           responsibilities and carry out any instructions issued by Executive Director from time to time.

      2.  To make routine correspondence with District Mission/Block Mission/Local Governments/CDSs etc. and other agencies on
           their subjects and areas of operation except on policy matters and issues involving financial commitment.

      3.  To operate the imprest account sanctioned to them by the Governing Body.

      4.  To suggest points for inclusion in the agenda on activities and matters relating to his area of implementation to be
           approved by the Executive Director for placing for decision before the Governing Body meeting.

      5.  To suggest the draft proposals to be included in the Annual Action Plan and Budget with respect to his area of
           implementation with the assistance of District Mission Co-ordinators etc.

      6.  The Directors-in-charge of regions would be specially responsible for the following:

              1.  To liaise with DMCs in carrying out the decisions of the Mission.

              2.  To co-ordinate with Government and non-governmental agencies and financial institutions for
                   ensuring convergence in their respective regions.

              3.  To monitor the setting up of community structures, such as NHGs, ADSs and CDSs and providing required
                   feedback to the Executive Director on their function.

              4.  To monitor regularly the entire programmes through field visits, district level meetings and prescribed MIS formats.

      7.  The Director, Finance and Administration shall be specially responsible for the following:

              1.  Maintenance and upkeep of the books of accounts of the Mission and to prepare for Audits as per the
                   directions of the Governing Body/Executive Director.

              2.  To pre-check and verify all expenditures of the Mission and to bring to the notice of the Executive
                   Director, discrepancies, if any.

              3.  To have an overall responsibility on the Mission including establishment expenses and to see to it that
                   the expenses are as per the annual budget of the Mission duly approved by the Governing Body.

              4.  To monitor the expenditure of the Head Office and sub-offices through MIS format designed for the same and
                   to bring it to the attention of the Executive Director.

              5.  Financial powers of the Director Finance & Administration will be

                      1.  To draw cheques amounting upto Rs. 50,000 at a time and when the amount exceeds Rs. 50,000, by joint
                           signature with Executive Director, Mission, and

                      2.  To sanction contingent/unforeseen or emergency expenditure on activities by Director's from an imprest of
                           Rs.20,000 for meeting contingency expenses of individual items not exceeding Rs. 1000 per item at a time.
                           The imprest can be recouped on settling the accounts with proper vouchers etc.on sanction by Executive
                           Director. The powers of District Mission Co-ordinator, Assistant District Mission Co-ordinators and other
                           officials shall be as decided by the General Body of Mission with government approval.

28. Funds of the Mission

      The funds of the Mission shall consist of the following:

            1.  Plan funds of the Govt. of Kerala GO/Participating institutions.

            2.  Recurring and non-recurring grants made by the Govt. of India/Govt. of Kerala for the furtherance of objectives of
                 the Mission.

            3.  Income from investments.

            4.  Income from other sources.

29. The bankers of the Mission shall be appointed by the Governing Body as per Govt. instructions. All funds of the Mission shall be paid into Mission's account with the said bankers and shall not be withdrawn except on cheques signed by the
Member-Secretary and/or Director, Finance & Administration duly empowered in this behalf.

30. Travel expenses of the Vice-Chairman, Executive Director, Directors and other Members of the Executive Board and       Officers and Staff in connection with official work of the Mission shall be met from the funds of the Mission.

31. The administrative cost including the rent of the building if the State Mission is located in a rented building, cost of
vehicles and maintenance and other office establishment cost including salary and allowances of all officers and staff
telephone, fax etc. necessary for the implementation of the Project, shall be met from the funds of the Mission.

32. At District level the District Collector and Secretary, District Planning Committee shall be the Chief Executive Officer of
the Mission; there shall be a District Mission Co-ordinator to assist the Chief Executive Officer.

33. The fund required for every District Mission for its administration, co-ordination and management will be given to the
respective District Collector and Secretary of the District Planning Committee who will be the Chief Executive Officer of the
Mission at District level for maintaining District level Mission Fund to be operated in a Bank or Banks. The District Project
Co -ordinator may be given an imprest amount of Rs.10,000 for meeting expenditure on individual items or at a time up to
Rs.1000 The imprest can be recouped on settling the accounts with proper vouchers etc. on obtaining the orders of the
District Collector & Secretary of DPC.

34. Notwithstanding anything contained in these rules Government have the right to direct or instruct the Mission in any
matter and any such directions or instructions received from the Government shall be binding on the Mission.

35. In case the Mission is dissolved the assets and liabilities of the Mission shall vest with the Government or may be utilized
for the purposes as decided by the State Government.

36. Accounts and Audit

            1.  The Mission shall keep at its registered office proper books of account which shall consist of the following particulars:

                  1.  all sums of money received by the Mission and the source thereof,

                  2.  all sums of money expended by the Mission and the object or purpose for which such sums are expended and

                  3.  assets and liabilities of the Mission.

            2.  The Mission shall have its accounts audited once a year by duly qualified auditor and have balance sheet prepared by
                 him. The auditor shall also submit a report showing the exact state of financial affairs of the Mission. The three
                 copies of the balance sheet and the auditor's report shall be certified by the auditor. (* duly qualified auditor means
                 a Chartered Accountant within a meaning of the Chartered Accounts Act, 1949 or a person approved by the
                 Registrar of Societies in this behalf.)

            3.  Every member of the Governing Body shall have the right of inspection of accounts and registers maintained by
                 the Mission and proceedings of the meetings of the Mission at any time during office hours.

            4.  Members shall receive no profits upon dissolution of the Mission if after disposal and settlement of the property of the
                 Mission and, its claims and liabilities, there are any surplus assets, such assets shall not be paid to or distributed
                 amongst the members of the Mission or any of them but shall be disposed of as directed by the Government.

            5.  The Accounts of the Mission shall be audited by a Chartered Accountant to be appointed by the Governing Body with
                 the approval of the Government. (These accounts shall be subject to a second audit by the Comptroller and
                 Auditor General of India). The nature of audit to be applied and the detailed arrangements to be made in regard to
                 the form of accounts and their maintenance and the presentation of the accounts for audit shall be prescribed by
                 bye-laws to be framed by the Governing Body.

            6.   An annual report of the proceedings of the Mission and of all work undertaken during the financial year duly
                  approved by the Governing Body for the information of the State Government, Govt. of India and the
                  members of the Mission. This report and the audited accounts of the Mission shall be placed before the Mission at its
                  Annual General Body Meeting.

            7.  Within 30 days after the holding of Annual General Body Meeting these shall be filed with the Registrar of Societies.

                  1.  A list of the names, addresses and occupations of the members of the Governing Body, The Chairman,
                       Executive Director and of other office bearers of the Mission.

                  2.  An annual report of the previous year, and

                  3.  A copy each of the balance sheet and of the auditor's report certified by the auditor. Such list and the annual
                       report shall be certified by the Chairman, Vice-chairman and the Executive Director.

            8.  If any change occurs in the composition of the Governing Body or in the holder of the office of the Chairman or
                the Vice-chairman or the Executive Director at any time for any reason arising through such change shall,
                within 30 days be notified to the Registrar of Societies.

            9.  Records of the Mission shall be public documents available for scrutiny or as copies on payment on prescribed fee.

37. Property of the Mission

      All the property belonging to the Mission shall be deemed to be vested in the Governing Body of the Mission but shall be
      referred as the 'Property of the Mission'.

38. Suit and Proceedings By and Against The Mission

      The Mission may sue or may be sued against in the name of the Executive Director or any office bearer authorized by the
      Governing Body in this behalf.

            1.  No suit or proceeding shall abate by reason of any vacancy or change in the holder of the office of the Chairman, the
                 Executive Director or any office bearer authorised in this behalf.

            2.  Every decree order against Mission in any suit or proceeding shall be executable against the property of the Mission
                 and not against the person or the property of the Chairman the Executive Director or any office bearer.

            3.  Nothing in Subsection above shall exempt the Chairman, the Executive Director or office bearer of the Mission from
                 a criminal liability under this Act or entitled to claim any contribution from the property of the Mission in respect
                 of any fine paid by him or conviction by a criminal court.

            4.  Every member of the Mission may be sued or prosecuted by the Mission for any loss or damage caused to the
                 Mission or its property or for anything done by him detrimental to the interests of the Mission.

39. Notices

      A notice may be served upon any member of the Mission either personally or by sending it through registered post.

40. Alternation and Extension of the Purpose of the Mission

       Subject to the prior approval of the Government, the Mission may alter or extend the purpose for which it is established.

            1.  if the Governing Body shall submit the proposition for such alteration or extension as aforesaid to the Members of the
                Mission in a written or printed report.

            2.  if the Governing Body shall convene a Special General Meeting of the members of the Mission according to these
                Rules for the consideration of the said proposition.

            3.  if such report be delivered or sent by post to every member of the Mission Fourteen clear days previous to such
                special General meeting as aforesaid.

            4.  if such proposition be agreed to by the votes of three-fifth of the members of the Mission delivered in person at such
                Special General Meeting as aforesaid and

            5.  if such proposition be confined by the votes of three-fifth of the members of the Mission present at a Second Special
                General Meeting convened by the Governing Body at an interval of one month after the former meeting.

41. Amendment/Alteration of the Bye-Law

The Rules of the Mission may be altered amended if found necessary by a Resolution passed by a majority of the members
of the Mission present at any meeting of the Mission which shall have been duly convened for the purpose.The modified rules
will be deemed to have come into force in accordance with the provisions contained in the Travancore Cochin Literary,
Scientific and Charitable Societies Registration Act, 1955.

42. Miscellaneous

Not withstanding anything herein contained, the Government may from time to time, issue such direction or instructions as it
may consider necessary in regard to the conduct of the affairs of the Mission or regarding any other matter pertaining to the
management or administration of the Mission. The government may in like manner, vary and annul any such directions or
instructions and the Mission, the governing body and the Executive Committee as the case may be, shall comply with all
such directions or instructions.

43. Dissolution

If the objectives of this Mission for which it has been formed are fulfilled or if the Government desire so the Mission shall be
dissolved. For the dissolution of the Mission if not less than three fifths of the members of the Mission determine by special
resolution that it shall be dissolved and thereupon it shall be dissolved with the consent of the Government and all necessary
steps shall be taken for the disposal and settlement of the properties of the Mission, its claims and liabilities according to the
rules and regulations.