(1)Any Member of a Panchayat Samiti who during his term of office absents himself from four consecutive meetings of the Panchayat Samiti without the leave of the said Panchayat Samiti, shall cease to be a Member and his office shall be deemed to have become vacant and thereupon the Panchayat Samiti shall, as soon as may be, inform him, Zila Parishad, State Election Commission and Government accordingly.(2)Any dispute as to whether a vacancy has or has not occurred under this section shall be referred for decision to the competent authority, whose decision shall be final:Provided that such reference shall not be entertained if it is made after the expiry of fifteen days from the date on which the Panchayat Samiti informs under sub-section (1).(3)Whenever leave is granted under sub-section (1) to a Member who is Vice-Chairman, another Member shall be elected to perform all the duties and exercise all the powers of a Vice-Chairman during the period for which such leave is granted on the same terms and conditions.
