The Odisha Grama Panchayats (Reduction of Term of Office and Postponement of Elections) Act, 1981

(1) This Act may be called the Orissa Grama Panchayats (Reduction of Term of Office, and Postponement of Elections) Act, 1981. (2) It shall be deemed to have come into force on the 27th day of August, 1981.

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires:-(a) "Grama Panchayat Act" means the Orissa Grama Panchayat Act, 1964; (b) "Grama Panchayat" means a Grama Panchayat constituted under the Grama Panchayat Act; (c) words and expressions used in this Act, but not defined therein, shall have the same meaning as assigned to them, respectively under the Grama Panchayat Act.

Notwithstanding anything contained in the Grama Panchayats Act,(a) the term of office of the members including Sarpanches of all the Grama Panchayats in the State, who are continuing in office on the date of commencement of this Act, shall expire on and with effect from the said date. (b) the election for the reconstitution of all the Grama Panchayats where term of office of the members including Sarpanches expired,- (i) under clause (a), and (ii) before the commencement of this Act under the provisions of the Grama Panchayats Act, shall be held within the period specified in clause (b) of section 4 of the Orissa Grama Panchayats (Reduction of Term of Office) Act, 1981. (c) the provisions contained in the Orissa Grama Panchayats (Reduction of Term of Office) Act, 1981 shall mutatis mutandis apply to the Grama Panchayats herein referred to in relation to,- (i) their management during the period beginning with the date of commencement of this Act and until the newly elected members of a Grama Panchayat and its Sarpanch assume office; (ii) the election of members including the Sarpanch for reconstitution of the said Grama Panchayats; and (iii) the status of the said Grama Panchayats on reconstitution.

(1) The Orissa Grama Panchayats (Reduction of Term of Office and Postponement of Elections) Ordinance, 1981 is hereby repealed. (2) Notwithstanding such repeal, anything done or any action taken under the said Ordinance shall be deemed to have been issued, done or taken under this Act.