(2)[ When-(a)the office of the Chairman falls vacant by reason of death, resignation, removal or otherwise, or(b)the Chairman is, by reason of leave, illness or other cause, temporarily unable to exercise the powers, perform the functions and discharge the duties of his office,the Vice-Chairman shall exercise the powers, perform the functions and discharge the duties of the Chairman until a Chairman is elected under sub-section (3) of section 17 and assumes office or until the Chairman resumes his duties, as the case may be.] [Substituted by the West Bengal Act 22 of 2000, w.e.f. 1.9.2000, for '(2) The Vice-Chairman shall, during the absence of the Chairman for any reasons whatsoever, discharge all his duties, and exercise all the powers, of the Chairman unless otherwise expressly directed by the Chairman.'.]
