19 Auditor

(1) No Nidhi shall appoint or re-appoint an individual as auditor for more than one term of five consecutive years.

(2) No Nidhi shall appoint or re-appoint an audit firm as auditor for more than two terms of five consecutive years;

Provided that an auditor (whether an individual or an audit firm) shall be eligible for subsequent appointment after the expiration of two years from the completion of his or its term.

Explanation: For the purposes of this proviso:

(i) in case of an auditor (whether an individual or audit firm), the period for which he or it has been holding office as auditor prior to the commencement of these rules shall be taken into account in calculating the period of five consecutive years or ten consecutive years, as the case may be;

(ii) appointment includes re-appointment.