Section 8 in Gujarat Panchayats (Amendment) Act, 1976
8. Insertion of new sections 303A, 303B and 303C in Guj. 6 of 1962.- In the principal Act, after section 303, the following sections shall be inserted, namely:-
"303A. Power of State Government to appoint officers to carry on the administration of panchayats in certain circumstances.- (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act or the rules or by-laws made thereunder, if at any time, the State Government is satisfied that a situation exists by reason of dissensions among the members of a panchayat or disturbances in the whole or any part of the State of Gujarat, whereby-(i)the administration of the affairs of a panchayat cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of this Act or the rules or by-laws made thereunder, or(ii)it is not possible or expedient to hold elections for the re-constitution of a panchayat on the expiry of its term,the State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, make a declaration to that effect.(2)A notification issued under sub-section (1) in relation to any panchayat shall remain in force for such period, not exceeding six months, as may be specified therein:Provided that if the State Government is of the opinion that it is necessary so to do, it may, by order and for reasons to be mentioned therein, extend, from time to time, the period so specitied; so, however, that the notification shall not in any case remain in force for more than one year in the aggregate.(3)On the issue of & notification under sub-section (1) in relation to any panchayat,-(a)all the members of such panchayat shall vacate their office as such members;(b)all the powers and duties of such panchayat shall, during the period when such notification is in force, be exercised and performed by such officer of the State Government as it may, by order, specify in that behalf.(4)The State Government shall, before the expiry of the period specified in the notification issued under sub-section (1), or extended under the proviso to sub-section (2), as the case may be, take steps for the purpose of reconstituting the panchayat in the manner provided in this Act.
