Powers and functions of the Naib-Sarpanch

(1) The Naib-Sarpanch shall exercise such powers, discharge such duties and perform such functions of the Sarpanch as the Sarpanch may from time to time delegate to him in writing and the Sarpanch may in like manner withdraw any or all the powers, duties and functions as so delegated. (2) When the Office of the Sarpanch falls Vacant the Naib-Sarpanch shall for all the purposes of this Act, exercise the powers, discharge the duties and perform the functions of the Sarpanch until a new Sarpanch is elected or nominated, as the case may be, to fill up the Vacancy. (3) In the absence of the Sarpanch, the Naib-Sarpanch shall preside over the meetings of the Grama Panchayat and in the absence of both at the meeting any other member of the Grama Panchayat present may be elected to preside over the meeting. (4) When the Office of the Sarpanch is vacant or the Sarpanch has been continuously absent from the Grama for more than fifteen days or is incapacitated for more than fifteen days and there is either a vacancy in the Office of the Naib-Sarpanch or the Naib-Sarpanch has been continuously absent from the Grama for more than fifteen days or is incapacitated for more than fifteen days, the powers and functions of the Sarpanch shall devolve on a member of the Grama Panchayat from out of a panel of three such members in order of priority elected in the prescribed manner by the Grama Panchayat at in that behalf, who shall be the officiating Sarpanch and shall exercise the powers and perform the functions of the Sarpanch subject to such restrictions and conditions, if any, as may be prescribed until a Sarpanch or Naib-Sarpanch assumes Office, on being duly elected or, as the case may be, takes charge of his Office: Provided that in the absence of any such panel or in the case of non-availability of the members on such panel the Sub-Divisional Officer may nominate one of the members of the Grama Panchayat to officiate as the Sarpanch and to exercise the powers and perform the functions of the Sarpanch in accordance with the provisions of this Sub-Section.