Prescribed authority for the purposes of sections 35CC and 35CCA

For the purposes of section 35CC and section 35CCA,- (i) the "prescribed authority" to approve the programme of rural development referred to in sub-section (1) of section 35CC and in clause (a) of sub-section (1) of section 35CCA shall be the Committee consisting of the following, namely :- (a) The Chief Commissioner or Commissioner of Income-tax who exercises jurisdiction over the State or, as the case may be, the Union territory in which the programme of rural development is to be carried out-Chairman; (b) An officer not below the rank of a Secretary to the Government of the State or, as the case may be, the Union territory in which the programme of rural development is to be carried out-Member; (ii) the "prescribed authority" to approve an association or institution referred to in clause (a) or clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 35CCA shall be the Committee consisting of the following, namely :- (a) The Chief Commissioner or Commissioner of Income-tax, who exercises jurisdiction over the State or, as the case may be, the Union territory in which the principal office of the association or institution is situated-Chairman; (b) An officer not below the rank of a Secretary to the Government of the State or, as the case may be, the Union territory in which the principal office of the association or institution is situated- Member : Provided that where in a case whether falling under clause (i) or clause (ii) two or more Commissioners exercise jurisdiction over the State or, as the case may be, the Union territory, the Board may, by notification in the Official Gazette, empower the Chief Commissioner or Commissioner specified in this behalf to be the Chairman of the Committee. Explanation. - In this rule, "programme of rural development" shall have the meaning assigned to it in the Explanation to sub-section (1) of section 35CC of the Income-tax Act.