Section 16(2) in The West Bengal Panchayat Act, 1973
(2)The Pradhan or in his absence the Upa-Pradhan shall preside at the meeting of the Gram Panchayat; and in the absence of the both [or on the refusal of any or both to preside at a meeting] [Words inserted by W.B. Act 2 of 1995, w.e.f. 28.12.1994.], the members present shall elect one of them to be the President of the meeting.
