13. Appointment of members by prescribed authority.
- Notwithstanding anything contained in section 11, the prescribed authority may, if it thinks fit, constitute the first Gram Panchayat and appoint the members thereof from amongst the members of the Gram Sabha concerned for a period not exceeding one year from the date of the notification mentioned in section 3 after which they shall be replaced by members elected in the manner prescribed and thereupon they shall be deemed to have vacated office:Provided that if the members are appointed for a period of less than one year, the prescribed authority may, if it thinks fit, extend the period up to one year :[Provided further that notwithstanding anything contained in this section, every member of the Gram Panchayat who is so appointed shall continue to hold office until the first meeting of the newly formed Gram Panchayat after the first election at which a quorum is present.] [Proviso inserted by W.B. Act 15 of 1959.]
