Gram Panchayats and their constitution

(1) For every Gram declared under Section 3 there shall be constituted a Gram Panchayat bearing the name of the Gram to exercise the powers and discharge the functions under this Act, and the members of every Gram Panchayat shall be chosen by direct election by secret ballot in such manner as may be prescribed.

(2) Every Gram Panchayat shall be a body corporate having perpetual succession and a common seal and shall, subject to any restriction or condition imposed by or under this Act, or any other law for the time being in force have power to acquire by purchase, gift or otherwise, to hold, administer and transfer property, both movable and immovable, and to enter into any contract and shall, by its name, sue or be sued.

(3) The Pradhan or in his absence Upa-Pradhan shall convene the meeting of the Gram Panchayat after giving 15 days notice to the persons comprising the Gram Panchayat. One third of the total number of members, subject to a minimum of four of the Gram Panchayat shall form a quorum. In the absence of the quorum, meeting shall be adjourned and no quorum shall be necessary for an adjourned meeting. The Pradhan or in his absence the Upa-Pradhan shall preside over the meeting.