.-(1) The Central Government shall constitute, by notification in the Official Gazette, an Authority to settle inter-State disputes falling under [section 6-A read with section 9] [Substituted by Act 23 of 2004, Section 119, for " section 6-A or section 9" (w.e.f. 10.9.2004). ] of this Act, to be known as "the Central Sales Tax Appellate Authority (hereinafter referred to as the Authority)".(2)The Authority shall consist of the following Members appointed by the Central Government, namely:-(a)a Chairman, who is a retired Judge of the Supreme Court, or a retired Chief Justice of a High Court;(b)an officer of the Indian Legal Service who is, or is qualified to be, an Additional Secretary to the Government of India; and(c)an officer of a State Government not below the rank of Secretary or an officer of the Central Government not below the rank of Additional Secretary, who is an expert in sales tax matters.[(2-A) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (2), the Chairman or a Member holding a post as such in the Authority for Advance Rulings appointed under clause (a) or clause (c) , as the case may be, of sub-section (2) of section 245-O of the Income-tax Act, 1961 (43 of 1961) may, in addition to his being the Chairman or a Member of that Authority, be appointed as the Chairman or a Member, as the case may be, of the Authority under this Act.] [Inserted by Act 3 of 2006, Section 2 (w.e.f. 1.3.2006). ](3)The salaries and allowances payable to, and the terms and conditions of service of, the Chairman and Members shall be such as may be prescribed.(4)The Central Government shall provide the Authority with such officers and staff as may be necessary for the efficient exercise of the powers of the Authority under this Act.[19-A. Vacancies, etc., not to invalidate proceedings [Inserted by Act 3 of 2006, Section 3 (w.e.f. 1.3.2006). ].-No proceeding before the Authority shall be questioned or shall be invalid on the ground merely of the existence of any vacancy or defect in the constitution of the Authority.]
