34Composition of Central Authority

(1) The Central Authority shall consist of the following, namely:—

(a) Secretary or Additional Secretary to the Government of India in the Department of Health and Family Welfare—chairperson ex officio;

(b) Joint Secretary to the Government of India in the Department of Health and Family Welfare, in charge of mental health—member ex officio;

(c) Joint Secretary to the Government of India in the Department of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy—member ex officio;

(d) Director General of Health Services—member ex officio;

(e) Joint Secretary to the Government of India in the Department of Disability Affairs of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment—member ex officio;

(f) Joint Secretary to the Government of India in the Ministry of Women and Child Development—member ex officio;

(g) Directors of the Central Institutions for Mental Health—members ex officio;

(h) such other ex officio representatives from the relevant Central Government Ministries or Departments;

(i) one mental health professional as defined in item (iii) of clause (r) of sub-section (1) of section 2 having at least fifteen years experience in the field, to be nominated by the Central Government—member;

(j) one psychiatric social worker having at least fifteen years experience in the field, to be nominated by the Central Government—member;

(k) one clinical psychologist having at least fifteen years experience in the field, to be nominated by the Central Government—member;

(l) one mental health nurse having at least fifteen years experience in the field of mental health, to be nominated by the Central Government—member;

(m) two persons representing persons who have or have had mental illness, to be nominated by the Central Government—members;

(n) two persons representing care-givers of persons with mental illness or organisations representing care-givers, to be nominated by the Central Government—members;

(o) two persons representing non-governmental organisations which provide services to persons with mental illness, to be nominated by the Central Government—members;

(p) two persons representing areas relevant to mental health, if considered necessary.

(2) The members referred to in clauses (h) to (p) of sub-section (1), shall be nominated by the Central Government in such manner as may be prescribed.