(1) Any member of a village panchayat who during his term of office-

1. (a) is absent for more than three consecutive months from the village unless leave not exceeding four months so to absent himself has been granted by the panchayat; or
2. (b) absents himself for four consecutive months from the meetings of the

panchayat shall as soon as may be inform him that the vacancy has occurred.

1. (2) Any dispute as to whether a vacancy has or has not occurred under this section shall be referred for decision to the competent authority, whose decision shall be final: Provided that such reference shall not be entertained if it is made after the expiry of

fifteen days from the date on which the panchayat informs under sub-section (1) the

member as to the vacancy.

1. (3) Whenever leave is granted under sub-section (1) to a member who is an Upa-Sarpanch, another member shall, subject to the conditions to which the election of the Upa-Sarpanch so absenting himself was subject, be elected to perform all the duties

and exercise all the powers of an Upa-Sarpanch during the period for which such leave is

granted.