Duration of Gram Panchayat —(1) Every Gram Panchayat unless

sooner dissolved under any law for the time being in force shall continue for five years from the date appointed for its first meeting and no longer.

1. (2) No amendment of any law for the time being in force shall have the effect of causing dissolution of a Gram Panchayat, which is functioning immediately before such amendment, till the expiration of its duration specified in clause (1).
2. (3) An election to constitute a Gram Panchayat shall be completed –
   • (a) Before the expiry of its duration specified in sub-section (1); and
   • (b) Before the expiration of a period of six months from the date of its dissolution : Provided that where the remainder of the period for which the dissolved Gram Panchayat would have continued is less than six months, it shall not be necessary to hold any election under this sub- section for constituting the Gram Panchayat for such period.
3. (4) A Gram Panchayat constituted upon the dissolution of a Gram Panchayat before the expiration of its duration shall continue only for remainder of the period for which the dissolved Gram Panchayat would have continued under Sub-section (1) had it not been so dissolved.