Chapter II Chapter II

Halqa Panchayat

Establishment and constitution of Halqa Panchayat.--

1. (1) There shall be a Halqa Panchayat for every Halqa.
2. (2) Every Halqa Panchayat shall bear the name of the place where it is headquartered.
3. (3) Every Halqa Panchayat shall consist of such number of Panches not less than seven and not more than eleven including the Sarpanch as the prescribed authority may, from time to time, fix in this behalf. Provided that if the prescribed authority is that woman or Scheduled Castes or any other class are not in the Halqa Panchayat, it may nominate not more than thereof.
4. (4) The Sarpanch shall be elected Panchayat is such manner as may be prescribed.
5. (5) The Naib-Sarpanch shall be elected by the Panches of the Halqa Panchayat from among themselves at the first meeting of the Halqa Panchayat after its constitution.
6. (6) The Panches shall be elected from the constituencies delimited by the prescribed authority in accordance with rules.
7. (7) There shall be notified the name of the Halqa Panchayat and the names of the Panches duly elected in accordance with rules framed thereunder. Upon the issue of such notification, the Halqa Panchayat shall be deemed to be duly constituted.
8. (8) The Village Level Worker or Multipurpose Worker or Gram Sevika shall be the Secretary of the Halqa Panchayat.
9. (9) Every Halqa Panchayat shall be a body corporate known by the name "The Halqa Panchayat of " and shall have perpetual succession and a common seal and may sue and be sued by its corporate name subject to such modifications as the Government may specify, in the rules.

Term of Office.--The Sarpanch, the Naib-Sarpanch and every Panch of the Halqa Panchayat shall hold the office for a period of five years from the date of its constitution.

Disqualifications for membership.—

1. (1) A person shall be disqualified to be a member of Halqa Panchayat if he—
   • (a) is not a permanent resident of the State;
   • (b) is in the employment of the Government;
   • (c) is under twenty-five years of age; or
   • (d) is of unsound mind and stands so declared by a competent court; or
   • (e) has been adjudged insolvent by a competent court; or
   • (f) is a salaried servant of a Halqa Panchayat;
   • (g) is a Lambardar or Village Chowkidar; or

Removal of Sarpanch and Naib-Sarpanch of a Halqa Panchayat.

Filling vacancies in Halqa Panchayat.

1. (2) No vacancy in the Halqa Panchayat shall be filled so long as the number of Panches is not low 50% of the total number of members of such Halqa Panchayat.

Supersession of Halqa Panchayat.

1. (1) If in the opinion of the Government a Halqa Panchayat persistently makes default in the performance of duties imposed on it by or under this Act, the Government may, by notification, supersede such Halqa Panchayat: Provided that no order under this section shall be passed unless the Halqa Panchayat is called upon to show cause as to why such an order shall not be passed.
2. (2) The period of supersession shall not exceed six months during which the elections shall be held.
3. (3) When an order is made under sub-section (1), the Government may, by order in writing, make arrangements for the administration of the Halqa Panchayat for such period but not exceeding six months.
4. (4) If a Halqa Panchayat is superseded—
   • (i) the Sarpanch and Panchs of the Halqa Panchayat shall, as from the date of the notification, vacate their office.
   • (ii) the funds and other property vested in the Halqa Panchayat shall, during the period of supersession, vest in the Government.

Remuneration to Sarpanch and Panchs.

Resignation.