Chapter 12 Chapter 12

शाम्तत

Penalty for acting as Panch, member, Sarpanch, Up-Sarpanch, President, Vice-President when disqualified — If any person acts as a Panch, member, Sarpanch, Up-Sarpanch, President or Vice-President of a Panchayat knowing that he is not entitled or has ceased to be entitled to hold such office by reason of any disqualification mentioned in Section 36 or any other provision of this Act, he shall be punished with fine not exceeding two hundred and fifty rupees for every day on which he sits or votes or does any other act as such Panch, member, Sarpanch, Up-Sarpanch, President or Vice-President.

Penalty for voting by interested members — No Panch or member of a Panchayat shall vote on or take part in the discussion of any question coming up for consideration at a meeting of the Panchayat or of any committee thereof, if the question is one in which he has any pecuniary interest other than an interest as a member of the public or as a member of a local authority or as a representative of the Panchayat.

Penalty for acquisition of interest in contract by member, office bearer or servant - If any member, office bearer or servant of a Panchayat knowingly acquires, directly or indirectly, any personal share or interest in any contract or employment with, by or on behalf of the Panchayat, he shall be deemed to have committed an offence under section 168 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (45 of 1860): Provided that no person shall be deemed to have so acquired a share or interest in any such contract or employment by reason only of his being a shareholder in a joint stock company or a member of a co-operative society which enters into contract with or is employed by or on behalf of the Panchayat.

Wrongful restraint of officers etc. - Any person who prevents any officer or servant of a Panchayat or any person lawfully acting under his direction from executing his duty in accordance with the provisions of this Act or any rules or bye-laws made thereunder, shall be punished with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees.

Prohibition of causing obstruction to member etc. of Panchayats.-Whoever wilfully obstructs or molests a member or office bearer of a Panchayat or any person in the service of the Panchayat in the performance of their duties under this Act or of the rules or bye-laws made thereunder, shall be punishable with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees.

Prohibition of removal or obliteration of notice.-Whoever without the authority of the Panchayat, removes, destroys, defaces or in any way obliterates any notice exhibited by or under the orders of the Panchayat or any of its committees, shall be punishable with fine which may extend to two hundred and fifty rupees.

Penalty for failure to give information or giving false information.-- Any person required by or under this Act to give any information to any panchayat or any officer or servant of a panchayat, who fails to give such information or gives false information shall, on conviction, be punished with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees.

Prohibition of bidding.-- No officer or servant of a panchayat or any member of a panchayat shall in any way, directly or indirectly, be concerned in any bargain or contract made with such panchayat and if any such officer, servant or member is so concerned, he shall be disqualified from holding the office of such officer, servant or member and shall, on conviction, be punished with fine which may extend to two thousand rupees.

Procedure of compensation for damage to any Panchayat.— Every person who is guilty of any act or omission which causes any damage to any Panchayat shall be liable to make good such damage and the amount of compensation for such damage shall be recovered from him as an arrear of land revenue: Provided that no such recovery shall be made unless the person concerned has been given a reasonable opportunity of showing cause against such action.