Section 9(5) in The West Bengal Panchayat Act, 1973
(5)When -(a)the office of the Upa-Pradhan falls vacant by reason of death, resignation, removal or otherwise, or(b)the Upa-Pradhan is, by reason of leave, illness or other cause, temporarily unable to act,the Pradhan shall exercise the powers, perform the functions and discharge the duties of the Upa-Pradhan until a new Upa-Pradhan is elected and assumes office or until the Upa-Pradhan resumes his duties, as the case may be.
