Consequences of absence of Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson without leave

(1) Every Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson who absents himself from the municipal area— (a) for a period exceeding three months at a time unless leave so to absent himself has been granted by the Council, or (b) for an aggregate period exceeding six months during a year whether or not leave for such absence has been granted by the Council, shall cease to be Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson, as the case may be. (2) Leave under clause (a) of sub-section (1) shall not be granted for a period exceeding six months during one year. Whenever leave is granted to a Vice-Chairperson, a Councillor shall be elected by the Councillors from among their mumber to perform all the duties and exercise all the powers of the Vice-Chairperson, during the period for which such leave is granted. (3) In every case the authority competent to decide whether a Chairperson or a Vice-Chairperson has ceased to be Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson under this section, shall be the Director. The Director may give his decision either on an application made to him by any voter or on his own motion. Such decision shall be communicated to the Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson concerned, the Chief Officer and the applicant, if any. Until the Director decides that a vacancy has arisen and such decision is communicated as provided above, the Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson shall not be deemed to have ceased to be Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson as the case may be: Provided that no order shall be passed by the Director against any Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson under this section without giving him a reasonable opportunity of being heard. (4) Any person aggrieved by the decision of the Director may, within a period of fifteen days from the date of communication of such decision; appeal to the Administrative Tribunal the decision of the Administrative Tribunal on such appeal shall be final.