(1)
The Gram Sabhas shall be convened by the Gram Panchayat and in its first meeting it shall elect from amongst its members, a committee of not less than ten but not exceeding fifteen persons as members of the Forest Rights Committee, wherein at least one-third members shall be the Scheduled Tribes:
Provided that not less than one-third of such members shall be women:
Provided further that where there are no Scheduled Tribes, at least one-third of such members shall be women.
(2)
The Forest Rights Committee shall decide on a Chairperson and a Secretary and intimate it to the Sub-Divisional Level Committee.
(3)
When a member of the Forest Rights Committee is also a claimant of individual forest right, he shall inform the Committee and shall not participate in the verification proceedings when his claim is considered.