Cessation of Office of Chairman, Vice-Chairman or members of Panchayat Samitis and filling up vacancies.

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Panchayat Samiti Act, a Chairman, Vice-Chairman or a member of a Panchayat Samiti, who has been elected at any date after the 21st day of March, 1977 to fill up a vacancy caused in the office of the Chairman, Vice-Chairman or member, as the case may be, by reason of death, resignation or otherwise of such Chairman, Vice-Chairman or member and whose term of office expires on any date between the 1st day and the 30th day of November, 1980 shall be deemed to have ceased to hold office on the 19th day of December, 1980. (2) Election for filling up vacancies so caused in the office of the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and members, if any, shall be held within such time as provided for the election to fill up vacancies caused under sub-section (1) of section 3 of the Orissa Panchayat Samiti (Re-election of Office-bearers) Act, 1977. (3) The powers and functions of the Chairman, who ceased to hold office under sub-section (1), shall be exercised by the Subdivisional Officer having jurisdiction over the concerned block until the newly elected Chairman assumes office. (4) The Chairman, Vice-Chairman and the members, if any, elected in pursuance of sub-section (2), shall, for all purposes, be deemed to have been elected under the Panchayat Samiti Act and rules made thereunder.