Power of Government to supersede Board

(1) If, at any time, the Government is of the opinion that,- (a) on account of a grave emergency, the board is unable to perform the duties imposed on it by or under the provisions of this Act or of any other law; or (b) the Board has persistently made default in the performance of the duties imposed upon it by or under the provisions of this Act or of any other law and as a result of such default, the financial position of the Board or the administration of the ports has greatly deteriorated; (c) the Government may, by notification, in the official Gazette, supersede the Board for such period, not exceeding six months at a time, as may be specified in the notification: Provided that before issuing a notification under this sub-section for the reasons mentioned in clause (b), the Government shall give a reasonable opportunity to the Board to show cause why it should not be superseded and shall consider the explanations and objections, if any, of the Board. (2) Upon the publication of notification under sub-section(1) superseding the Board,- (a) all the members of the Board shall, as from the date of supersession, vacate their offices as members of the Board; (b) all powers and duties which may, by or under the provisions of this Act or of any other law, be exercised or performed by or on behalf of the Board, shall until the Board is reconstituted under clause(b) or clause(c) of sub-section(3) be exercised and performed by such person or persons as the Government may direct; (c) all property vested in the Board shall, until the Board is reconstituted under clause(b) or clause(c) of sub-section(3), vest in the Government. (3) On the expiration of the period of supersession specified in the notification issued under sub-section (1), the Government may,–