Surcharge

(1) Every Pradhan or Up-Pradhan of a Gram Panchayat, or member of a Gram Panchayat or of a Joint Committee or any other committee constituted under this Act shall be liable to surcharge for the loss, waste or misappropriation of money or property belonging to the Gram Panchayat as the case may be, if such loss, waste or misappropriation is direct consequence of his neglect of misconduct while he was such Pradhan, Up-Pradhan, Member: Provided that such liability shall cease after the expiry of ten years of such loss, waste or misappropriation or after the expiry of five years from the date when the debtor ceases to his post, whichever is later. (2) The prescribed authority shall fix the amount of the surcharge according to the procedure that may be prescribed and shall certify the amount to the collector who shall, on being satisfied that the amount is due, realise it as if it were an arrear of land revenue: (3) A person aggrieved by the order of the prescribed authority fixing the amount, of surcharge may, within thirty days of such order, appeal against the order to the State Government or such other or appellate, authority as may be prescribed. (4) Where no proceeding for fixation and realisation of surcharge as specified in sub-section (2) taken by the State Government or prescribed authority may institute a suit for compensation for such loss, waste or misappropriation, against the person liable for the same.