(1) The Central Government shall constitute a Commission to be called the Income-tax Settlement Commission for the settlement of cases under this Chapter:

Provided that the Income-tax Settlement Commission so constituted shall cease to operate on or after the 1st day of February, 2021.

(2) The Settlement Commission shall consist of a Chairman and as many Vice-Chairmen and other members as the Central Government thinks fit and shall function within the Department of the Central Government dealing with direct taxes.

(2A) [***]

(3) The Chairman, Vice-Chairman and other members of the Settlement Commission shall be appointed by the Central Government from amongst persons of integrity and outstanding ability, having special knowledge of, and, experience in, problems relating to direct taxes and business accounts:

Provided that, where a member of the Board is appointed as the Chairman , Vice-Chairman or as a member of the Settlement Commission, he shall cease to be a member of the Board. [***]