Section 18 in Maharashtra Hereditary Offices Act, 1874
18. Appointment of Panchayat to define rights and duties of certain classes of watandars.
- When all or any of the property of a village watan of lower degree than that of Patel or Kulkarni consists of a right to levy in money or kind directly from individuals, it shall be lawful for the Collector, on the application of any person interested, to cause the nature and extent of such right and of the duties to be performed, and the persons, families, or classes liable to make payment and to perform the duties, to be defined in writing by a panchayat of five persons, whereof two shall be appointed by the villagers, two by the watandars, and one, who shall be sarpanch by the Collector. The decision shall be in accordance with the opinion of the majority of the panchayat, provided that in case the villagers or the watandars fail to nominate members, within seven days, the Collector shall appoint such members as may be required to constitute a panchayat of five:Provided also that, in case the panchayat do not come to a decision within seven days from the appointment of the sarpanch, the Collector may himself pass a decision.The decision of the panchayat or of the Collector, as above provided, shall be final and binding on all persons or classes whose rights, duties or liabilities have been submitted to such decision.
