Section 12 — Meetings of National Biodiversity Authority

(1) The National Biodiversity Authority shall meet at such time and place and shall observe such rules of procedure in regard to the transaction of business at its meetings (including the quorum at its meetings) as may be prescribed. (2) The Chairperson of the National Biodiversity Authority shall preside at the meetings of the National Biodiversity Authority. (3) If for any reason the Chairperson is unable to attend any meeting of the National Biodiversity Authority, any member of the National Biodiversity Authority chosen by the members present at the meeting shall preside at the meeting. (4) All questions which come before any meeting of the National Biodiversity Authority shall be decided by a majority of votes of the members present and voting and in the event of equality of votes, the Chairperson or, in his absence, the person presiding, shall have and exercise a second or casting vote. (5) Every member who is in any way, whether directly, indirectly or personally, concerned or interested in a matter to be decided at the meeting shall disclose the nature of his concern or interest and after such disclosure, the member concerned or interested shall not attend that meeting. (6) No act or proceeding of the National Biodiversity Authority shall be invalidated merely by reason of- (a) any vacancy in, or any defect in the constitution of, the National Biodiversity Authority; or (b) any defect in the appointment of a person acting as a member; or (c) any irregularity in the procedure of the National Biodiversity Authority not affecting the merits of the case.