Powers of supervision by Panchayat Samiti over Gram Panchayat

(1) A Panchayat Samiti shall exercise general power of supervision over Gram Panchayats in the Block and it shall be the duty of these authorities to give effect to the directions of the Panchayat Samiti. (2) A Panchayat Samiti may ---- (a) inspect, or clause to be inspected, any immovable property used or occupied by a Gram Panchayat within the Block or any work in progress under the direction of a Gram Panchayat; (b) inspect or examine, or depute an officer to inspect or examine any department of a Gram Panchayat, or any service, work or thing under the control of the Gram Panchayat; (c) inspect or cause to be inspected utilisation of funds in respect of schemes or programmes assigned to the Gram Panchayats by the State Government for execution either directly or through the Zilla Parishad or the Panchayat Samiti; and (d) require a Gram Panchayat, for the purpose of inspection or examination :--- i. to produce any book, record, correspondence or other documents; ii. to furnish any return, plan, estimate, statement of accounts or statistics; or iii. to furnish or obtain any report or information. Provided that a member shall not be eligible for such election unless he declares in writing that on being elected he shall be a whole time functionary of his office and that during the period for which he holds or is continuing to hold such office he shall not hold any office of profit and shall not carry on or be associated with any business, profession or calling in such manner that shall, or is likely to, interfere with due exercise of his powers, due performance of his functions or due discharge of his duties. (2) The meeting to be held under sub-section (1) shall be convened by the prescribed authority in the prescribed manner. (3) The Sabhadhipati and Sahakari Sabhadhipati, subject to the provision of Section 135 and to their continuing as members, shall hold office for a period of five years. (4) On expiry of five years or on ceasing to be members, whichever is earlier, the Sabhadhipati and the Sahakari Sabhadhipati shall handover the charge to the prescribed authority. (5) When--------- (a) the office of the Sabhadhipati falls vacant by reason of death, resignation, removal or otherwise; or (b) the Sabhadhipati is absent by reason of leave, illness or other cause, the Sahakari Sabhadhipati shall exercise the powers, perform the functions and discharge the duties of the Sabhadhipati until a new sabhadhipati is elected and assumes office or until the Sabhadhipati resumes his duties as the case may be. (6) When--------- (a) the office of the Sahakari Sabhadhipati falls vacant by reason of death, resignation, removal or otherwise; or (b) the Sahakari Sabhadhipati is absent by reason of leave, illness or other cause, the Sabhadhipati shall exercise the powers, perform the functions and discharge the duties of the Sahakari Sabhadhipati until a new Sahakari Sabhadhipati is elected and assumes office or until the Sahakari Sabhadhipati resumes his duties as the case may be; Provided that no election shall be held if the vacancy is for a period of less than one month under this sub-section or under sub-section (5).