Institution

(1) Any person who wishes to institute a suit before a Panchayat shall present a petition in writing to the Sarpanch or in his absence to any Panch and shall at the same time pay the fees prescribed in Schedule III: Provided that if the court-fee stamp is not available at the place where the Panchayat ordinarily sits, an equivalent amount in cash shall be paid. (2) Any petition so presented shall be entered in a register of suits, to be maintained in such form and by such person as Government may prescribe.