(1) Any member other than an associate member of a panchayat who during his

term of office:-

1. (a) is absent for more than three consecutive months from the taluka unless

lave not exceeding four months so to absent himself has been granted by the panchayat, or

1. (b) absents himself from four consecutive meetings of the panchayat without the leave of the said panchayat,

shall cease to be member and his office shall be vacant and thereupon 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.
2. (3) Whenever leave is granted under sub-section (1) to a member who is Vice- President, another member shall subject to the condition to which the election of the Vice- President so absenting himself was subject, be elected to perform all the duties and exercise all the powers of a Vice-President during the period for which such leave is granted.