CHAPTER III
Powers and duties of Gram Panchayat
19. Obligatory duties of Gram Panchayat. – [(1) A Gram Panchayat shall function as a unit of self-government and, in order to achieve economic development and secure social justice for all, shall, subject to such conditions as may be prescribed or such directions as may be given by the State Government, –
(a) prepare a development plan for the five-year term of the office of the members and revise and update it as and when necessary with regard to the resources available;
(b) prepare an annual plan for each year by the month of October of the preceding year for development of human resources, infrastructure and civic amenities in the area;
(c) implement schemes for economic development and social justice as may be drawn up by, or entrusted upon it.]
[(2)] [Without prejudice to the generality of the provisions of sub-section (1) and subject to such conditions as may be prescribed or such directions as may be given by the State Government,] the duties of a Gram Panchayat shall be to provide within the area under its jurisdiction for –
(a) sanitation, conservancy and drainage and the prevention of public nuisances;
(b) curative and preventive measures in respect of malaria, small pox, cholera or any other epidemic;
(c) supply of drinking water and the cleansing and disinfecting the sources of supply and storage of water;
(d) the maintenance, repair and construction of public streets and protection thereof;
(e) the removal of encroachments of public streets or public places;
(f) the protection and repair of buildings or other property vested in it;
(g) the management and care of public tanks, subject to the provisions of the Bengal Tanks Improvement Act, 1939, common grazing ground, burning ghats and public graveyards;
(h) the supply of any local information which the District Magistrate, the Zilla Parishad [the Mahakuma Parishad, the Council] or the Panchayat Samiti within the local limits of whose jurisdiction the Gram Panchayat is situate, may require;
(i) organising voluntary labour for community works and works for the upliftment of its area;
(j) the control and administration of the Gram Panchayat Fund established under this Act;
(k) the imposition, assessment and collection of the taxes, rates or fees leviable under this Act;
(l) the maintenance and [control of the Dafadars, Chowkidars and Gram Panchayat Karmees] due [performance by the Dafadars, Chowkidars and Gram Panchayat Karmees] of the duties imposed on them under this Act;
(m) the constitution and administration of the Nyaya Panchayat established under this Act; and
(n) the performance of such functions as may be transferred to it under section 31 of the Cattle-trespass Act, 1871.
[(3) A Gram Panchayat shall not omit or refuse to act upon any recommendations of a Gram Sansad relating to prioritization of any list of beneficiaries or scheme or programme so far as it relates to the area of the Gram Sansad unless it decides in a meeting for reasons to be recorded in writing that such recommendation or recommendations are not acceptable or implementable under the provisions of the Act or any rule, order or direction thereunder; such decision of the Gram Panchayat shall be placed in the next meeting of the Gram Sansad.]
20. Other duties of Gram Panchayat. – (1) A Gram Panchayat shall also perform such other functions as the State Government may assign to it in respect of –
(a) primary, social, technical [vocational, adult or non-formal education;]
(b) rural dispensaries, health centres and maternity and child welfare centres;
(c) management of any pubic ferry under the Bengal Ferries Act, 1885;
(d) irrigation [including minor irrigation, water management and watershed development];
[(e) agriculture including agricultural extension and fuel and fodder;]
(f) care of the infirm and the destitute;
(g) rehabilitation of displaced persons;
(h) improved breeding of cattle, medical treatment of cattle and prevention of cattle disease;
(i) its acting as a channel through which Government assistance should reach the villages;
(j) bringing waste land under cultivation [through land improvement and soil conservation];
(k) promotion of village plantations [social forestry and farm forestry];
(l) arranging for cultivation of land lying fallow;
(m) arranging for co-operative management of land and other resources of the village;
(n) assisting in the implementation of land reform measure in its area;
(o) implementation of such schemes as may be formulated or performance of such acts as may be entrusted to the Gram Panchayat by the State Government;
(p) field publicity on matters connected with development works and other welfare measure undertaken by the State Government;
[(q) minor forest produce;]
(r) rural housing programme;]
[(s) rural electrification including distribution of electricity;]
[(t) non-conventional energy sources; and]
[(u) women and child development.]
(2) If the State Government is of opinion that a Gram Panchayat has persistently made default in the performance of any of the functions assigned to it under sub-section (1), the State Government may, after recording its reasons, withdraw such function from such Gram Panchayat.
21. Discretionary duties of Gram Panchayat. – Subject to such conditions as may be prescribed, a Gram Panchayat may, and shall if the State Government so directs, make provision for –
(a) the maintenance of lighting of public streets;
(b) planting and maintaining trees on the sides of public streets or in other public places vested in it;
(c) the sinking of wells and excavation of ponds and tanks;
(d) the introduction and promotion of co-operative farming, co-operative stores, and other co-operative enterprises, trade and callings;
(e) the construction and regulation of markets, the holding and regulation of fairs, melas and hats and exhibitions of local produce and products of local handicrafts and home industries;
(f) the allotment of places for storing manure;
(g) assisting and advising agriculturists in the matter of obtaining State loan and its distribution and repayment;
(h) filling up of insanitary depressions and reclaiming of unhealthy localities;
(i) the promotion and encouragement of cottage[khadi, village and small-scale including food-processing] industries;
[(i1) promotion of dairying and poultry;]
[(i2) promotion of fishery;]
[(i3) poverty alleviation programme;]
(j) the destruction of rabbit or ownerless dogs;
(k) regulating the production and disposal of foodstuffs and other commodities in the manner prescribed;
(l) the construction and maintenance of sarais, dharmasalas, rest houses, cattle sheds and cart stands;
(m) the disposal of unclaimed cattle;
(n) the disposal of unclaimed corpses and carcasses;
(o) the establishment and maintenance of libraries and reading rooms;
(p) the organisation and maintenance of akharas, clubs and other places for recreation or games;
[(p1) cultural activities including sports and games;]
[(p2) social welfare including welfare of the handicapped and mentally retarded;]
[(p3) welfare of socially and educationally backward classes of citizens and, in particular, of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes;]
[(p4) public distribution system;]
[(p5) maintenance of community assets;]
(q) the maintenance of records relating to population census, crop census, cattle census and census of unemployed persons and of other statistics as may be prescribed;
(r) the performance in the manner prescribed of any of the functions of [the Zilla Parishad or the Mahakuma Parishad or the Council, as the case may be,] with its previous approval, calculated to benefit the people living within the jurisdiction of the Gram Panchayat;
(s) rendering assistance in extinguishing fire and protecting life and property when fire occurs;
(t) assisting in the prevention of burglary and dacoity; and
(u) any other local work or service of public utility which is likely to promote the health, comfort, convenience or material prosperity of the public, not otherwise provided for in this Act.
22. State Government to place funds necessary for the performance of functions and duties under section 20 or 21 at the disposal of theGram Panchayat. – Where the State Government assigns any function to a Gram Panchayat under section 20 or where it directs a Gram Panchayat to make provision for any of the items enumerated in section 21, it shall place such funds at the disposal of the Gram Panchayat as may be required for the due performance of such function or for making such provision, as the case may be.
23. Control of building operations. – (1) No person shall [erect any new structure or new building or make any addition to any structure or building] in any area within the jurisdiction of a Gram Panchayat except with the previous permission in writing of the Gram Panchayat:
[Proviso that where the State Government or an authority or agency under the State Government intends to set up or has set up an industrial estate or industrial park within the jurisdiction of a Gram Panchayat, permission for erection of any structure or building for setting up an industry within such industrial estate or industrial park, shall be obtained from such authority or industrial development authority or corporation as the State Government may by notification specify.]
[Provided that such erection of new structure or new building or such addition to any structure or building or such permission of the Gram Panchayat shall be subject to such rules as may be made by the State Government in this behalf:]
[Provided further that a Gram Panchayat shall not accord permission for erection of a new structure or construction of a new building, if the proposal for such erection or construction, as the case may be, –
(a) has any provision for erection or construction of any dry latrine, by whatever name called, and
(b) does not have any provision for erection or construction of sanitary latrine of any description.]
(2) Every person seeking permission under sub-section (1) shall make an application in writing to such authority, in such form, containing such particulars and on payment of such fee [* * * * *] as may be prescribed:
[Provided that] no permission under sub-section (1) shall be necessary for erection of any new thatched structure, tin shed or tile shed without brick wall covering an area not exceeding [eighteen square metres where such structure or shed does not cover more than three-fourths of the total area of the land (including appurtenant land) and there is a set-back of not less than nine-tenth metre on the road-side:]
[provided further that the State Government may, by order, exempt any structure or building or any class of structures or buildings from the operation of the provisions of sub-section (1) and of this sub-section.]
(3) On receipt of such application the authority, after making such enquiry as it considers necessary and [in accordance with such rules as may be made by the State Government in this behalf,] shall, by order in writing, either grant the permission or refuse it, recording in the case of refusal the reasons therefor.
(4) Any person aggrieved by an order of the authority under sub-section (3) refusing permission may, within ninety days from the date of communication of such order to him, prefer an appeal to such appellate authority as may be prescribed.
(5) No appeal shall lie against the order of the appellate authority referred to in sub-section (4).
(6) Where [any new structure or new building or any new addition to any structure or building is being or has been erected or made, as the case may be,] in contravention of the provisions of sub-section (1), the authority may, after giving the owner of such building an opportunity of being heard, make an order directing the demolition of the building by the owner within such period as may be specified in the order and in default the authority may itself effect the demolition and recover the cost thereof from the owner as a public demand.
(7) Any person who [contravenes] the provisions of sub-section (1) shall be liable on conviction by a Magistrate to a fine which may extend to two hundred and fifty rupees.
24. Improvement of sanitation. – (1) For the improvement of sanitation, a Gram Panchayat shall have the power to do all acts necessary for and incidental to the same and in particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, a Gram Panchayat may, by order, require the owner or occupier of any land or building, within such reasonable period as may be specified in the notice served upon him and after taking into consideration his financial position –
(a) to close, remove, alter, repair, cleanse, disinfect, or put in good order any latrine, urinal, water-closet, drain, cesspool, or other receptacle for filth, sullage, rubbish or refuse pertaining to such land or building, or to remove or alter any door or trap or construct any drain for any such latrine, urinal or water-closet which opens on to a street or drain or to shut off such latrine, urinal or water-closet by a sufficient roof or wall or fence from the view of persons passing by or dwelling in the neighbourhood;
(b) to cleanse, repair, cover, fill up, drain off or remove water from, a private well, tank, reservoir, pool, pit, depression or excavation therein which may be injurious to health or offensive to the neighbourhood;
(c) to clear off any vegetation, undergrowth, prickly pear or scrub jungle therefrom;
(d) to remove any dirt, dung, nightsoil, manure or any obnoxious or offensive matter therefrom and to cleanse the land or building:
Provided that a person on whom a notice has been served as aforesaid may, within thirty days of receipt of such notice, appeal to the prescribed authority against the order contained therein whereupon the prescribed authority may stay the operation of the order contained in the notice till the disposal of the appeal and it may, after giving such notice of the appeal to the Gram Panchayat concerned as may be prescribed, modify, set aside or confirm the order:
Provided further that the prescribed authority shall, when it confirms or modifies the order contained in the notice after the expiry of the period mentioned therein, fix a fresh period within which the order contained in the notice, as confirmed or modified by it, shall be carried out.
(2) If the order contained in a notice served as aforesaid, has not been set aside by the prescribed authority and if the person upon whom the notice has been served fails, without sufficient reason, to comply with the order in its original form or the order as modified by the prescribed authority, within the time specified in the notice or within the time fixed by the prescribed authority, as the case may be, he shall be liable, on conviction by a Magistrate, to a fine which may extend to two hundred and fifty rupees.
25. Power of Gram Panchayat over public streets, waterways and other matters. – (1) A Gram Panchayat shall have control over all public streets and waterways within its jurisdiction other than canals as defined in section 3 of the Bengal Irrigation Act, 1876, not being private property and not being under the control of the Central or State Government or any local authority, and may do all things necessary for the maintenance and repair thereof, and may –
(a) construct new bridges and culverts;
(b) divert or close any such public street, bridge or culvert;
(c) widen, open, enlarge or otherwise improve any such public street, bridge or culvert and with minimum damage to the neighbouring fields, plant and preserve trees on the sides of such street;
(d) deepen or otherwise improve such waterways;
(e) with the sanction of the Zilla Parishad [or the Mahakuma Parishad or the Council, as the case may be,] and where there is a canal as defined in the Bengal Irrigation Act, 1876, with the sanction also of such officer as the State Government may prescribe, undertake irrigation projects;
(f) trim hedges and branches of trees projecting on public streets; and
(g) set apart by public notice any public source of water supply for drinking or culinary purposes and likewise prohibit all bathing, washing or other acts likely to pollute the source so set apart.
(2) A Gram Panchayat may, by a notice in writing, require any person who has caused obstruction or encroachment on or damage to any public street or drain or other property under the control and management of the said Gram Panchayat, to remove such obstruction or encroachment or repair such damage, as the case may be, within the time to be specified in the notice.
(3) If the obstruction of encroachment is not removed or damage is not repaired within the time so specified the Gram Panchayat may cause such obstruction or encroachment to be removed or such damage to be repaired and the expenses of such removal or repair shall be recoverable from such person as a public demand.
(4) For the purpose of removal of obstruction or encroachment under sub-section (3), the Gram Panchayat may apply to the Sub-divisional Magistrate and the Sub-divisional Magistrate shall, on such application, provide such help as may be necessary for the removal of such obstruction or encroachment.
26. Power of Gram Panchayat in respect of polluted water-supply. – (1) A Gram Panchayat may, by written notice, require the owner of, or the person having control over, a private water-course, spring, tank, well, or other place, the water of which is used for drinking or culinary purpose, after taking into consideration his financial position, to take all or any of the following steps within a reasonable period to be specified in such notice, namely –
(a) to keep and maintain the same in good repair;
(b) to clean the same, from time to time of silt, refuse or decaying vegetation;
(c) to protect it from pollution; and
(d) to prevent its use, if it has become so polluted as to be prejudicial to public health:
Provided that a person upon whom a notice as aforesaid has been served may, within thirty days from the date of receipt of the notice, appeal to the prescribed authority against the order contained in the notice whereupon the prescribed authority may stay the operation of the order contained in the notice till the disposal of the appeal and it may, after giving such notice of the appeal to the Gram Panchayat concerned as may be prescribed, modify, set aside or confirm the order:
Provided further that the prescribed authority shall, when it confirms or modifies the order contained in the notice after the expiry of the period mentioned therein, fix a fresh period within which the order contained in the notice, as confirmed or modified by it, shall be carried out.
(2) If the order contained in a notice served as aforesaid has not been set aside by the prescribed authority and if the person upon whom the notice has been served fails, without sufficient reason, to comply with the order in its original form or the order as modified by the prescribed authority, within the time specified in the notice or within the time fixed by the prescribed authority, as the case may be, he shall be liable, on conviction by a Magistrate, to a fine which may extend to two hundred and fifty rupees.
27. Power of Gram Panchayat to prevent growth of water-hyacinth or other weed which may pollute water. – (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Bengal Water Hyacinth Act, 1936, a Gram Panchayat may, by written notice, require the owner or occupier of any land or premises, containing a tank or pond or similar deposit of water, after taking into consideration his financial position, not to allow water-hyacinth or any other weed which may pollute water to grow thereon and to eradicate the same therefrom within such reasonable period as may be specified in the notice:
Provided that a person on whom a notice as aforesaid has been served may, within thirty days from the date of receipt of the notice, appeal to the prescribed authority against the order contained in the notice whereupon the prescribed authority may stay the operation of the order contained in the notice till the disposal of the appeal and it may, after giving such notice of the appeal to the Gram Panchayat concerned as may be prescribed, modify, set aside or confirm the order:
Provided further that the prescribed authority shall, when it confirms or modifies the order contained in the notice after the expiry of the period mentioned therein, fix a fresh period within which the order contained in the notice, as confirmed or modified by it, shall be carried out.
(2) If the order contained in a notice served as aforesaid has not been set aside by the prescribed authority and if the owner or occupier upon whom the notice has been served fails, without sufficient reason, to comply with the order in its original form or the order as modified by the prescribed authority, within the time specified in the notice or within the time fixed by the prescribed authority, as the case may be, he shall be liable, on conviction by a Magistrate, to a fine which may extend to two hundred and fifty rupees.
28. Emergent power on outbreak of epidemic. – In the event of an outbreak of cholera or any other water-borne infectious disease in any locality situated within the local limits of the jurisdiction of a Gram Panchayat, the Pradhan, the Upa-Pradhan or any other person authorised by thePradhan may, during the continuance of the outbreak, without notice and at any time, inspect and disinfect any well, tank or other place from which water is, or is likely to be, taken for the purpose of drinking and may further take such steps as he deems fit to prevent the drawing of water therefrom.
29. Power of recovery of cost for work carried out by Gram Panchayat on failure of any person. – If any work required to be done by an order contained in a notice served under sections 24, 26 or 27 is not executed within the period specified in the notice or where an appeal is made to the prescribed authority, within an equal period from the date of the decision on the appeal, the Gram Panchayat may, in the absence of satisfactory grounds for non-compliance, cause such work to be carried out and the cost of carrying out such work shall be recoverable as an arrear of public demand from the person on whom the notice was served.
30. Joint Committees. – (1) Subject to such rules as may be prescribed, two or more Gram Panchayats may combine, by a written instrument duly subscribed by them, to appoint a Joint Committee consisting of such representatives as may be chosen by the respective Gram Panchayatsfor the purpose of transacting any business or carrying out any work in which they are jointly interested and may –
(a) delegate to such Committee the power, with such conditions as the Gram Panchayats may think fit to impose, to frame any scheme binding on each of the constituent Gram Panchayats as to the construction and maintenance of any joint work and the power which may be exercised by any such Panchayat in relation to such scheme; and
(b) frame or modify rules regarding the constitution of such committees and the term of office of the members thereof and the method of conducting business.
(2) If any difference of opinion arises between the constituent Gram Panchayats under this section, it shall be referred to such officer as the State Government may prescribe, and the decision of the said officer thereon shall be final and binding on each of the constituent Gram Panchayats.
31. Delegation of functions by Zilla Parishad. – (1) A Zilla Parishad [or the Mahakuma Parishad or the Council] may, with the concurrence of aGram Panchayat and subject to such restrictions and conditions as may be mutually agreed upon, delegate to such Gram Panchayat any of its functions in the manner prescribed.
(2) Where functions are delegated to a Gram Panchayat under this section, the Gram Panchayat, in the discharge of such functions, shall act as the agent of [the Zilla Parishad or the Mahakuma Parished or the Council, as the case may be.]
32. Delegation of functions of Gram Panchayat to its Pradhan. – A Gram Panchayat may, at a meeting specially convened for the purpose, by a resolution delegate to its Pradhan such duties or powers of the Gram Panchayat as it thinks fit and may at any time by a resolution withdraw or modify the same:
Provided that when any financial power is delegated to a Pradhan or such power is withdrawn or modified, the Gram Panchayat shall forthwith give intimation thereof to the prescribed authority.
32A. Constitution of Upa-Samitis and delegation of powers, functions and duties of Gram Panchayats to the Upa-Samitis. – (1) Subject to such direction as may be issued by the State Government in this behalf, a Gram Panchayat shall, as soon as may be within three months following the first meeting referred to in section 9, constitute Upa-Samitis as referred to in sub-section (2) and delegate its powers, functions and duties to such Upa-Samitis, in such manner as may be prescribed.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of any other provisions of this Act, a Gram Panchayat shall constitute in such manner as may be prescribed the following Upa-Samitis:-
(i) Artha O Parikalpana Upa-Samiti,
(ii) Krishi O Pranisampad Bikas Upa-Samiti,
(iii) Siksha O Janasasthya Upa-Samiti,
(iv) Nari, Sishu Unnayan O Samaj Kalyan Upa-Samiti,
(v) Shilpa O Parikathama Upa-Samiti, and
(vi) such other Upa-Samiti as the Gram Panchayat may, subject to the approval of the State Government, constitute.
(3) The Upa-Samitis referred to in sub-section (2) shall consist of the following members:-
(a) the Pradhan and the Upa-Pradhan, ex officio;
(b) such number of members as may be prescribed, to be elected by the members from among themselves; and
(c) such number of members as may be appointed by the State Government by any general or special order:-
(i) from among the officials of the Panchayat bodies having jurisdiction, the State Government or any Statutory Board, Corporation or Organisation or any individual official receiving grant, financial assistance or remuneration from the State Exchequer, and
(ii) any person having any specialised knowledge about the locality or any area of activity;
(d) the Artha O Parikalpana Upa-Samiti shall have the Sanchalaks elected in the manner as mentioned in sub-section (4), as members of theUpa-Samiti and shall have no other member referred to in clause (b) of sub-section (3);
(e) the Nari, Sishu Unnayan O Samaj Kalyan Upa-Samiti shall have not less than half of the members referred to in clause (b), elected from among the women members of the Gram Panchayat, in the manner as may be prescribed.
(4) Members of each Upa-Samiti shall elect one member from among themselves in such manner as may be prescribed to act as Sanchalak for such Upa-Samiti and such Sanchalak shall be responsible for convening the meetings of such Upa-Samiti, co-ordinate functions of members within such Upa-Samiti and prepare and place report of actions taken or proposed to be taken relating to such Upa-Samiti within the budgetary provision of the Gram Panchayat to the Pradhan and the Gram Panchayat from time to time:
Provided that the Pradhan of the Gram Panchayat shall be the ex officio Sanchalak of the Artha O Parikalpana Upa-Samiti:
Provided further that the Sanchalak for Nari, Sishu Unnyan O Samaj Kalyan Upa-Samiti shall be elected from among the women members of theUpa-Samiti:
Provided also that the members referred to in clause (c) of sub-section (3) shall not be eligible for election as Sanchalak and they shall not have any right to vote.
(5) The Upa-Samitis shall devise its own procedure for holding the meetings and for performing other functions subject to the direction of the State Government and the Gram Panchayat.
(6) The members of the Upa-Samitis may, –
(a) take, subject to the direction of the Pradhan, the assistance of the employees of the Gram Panchayat,
(b) seek advice and help of the employees of the State Government of any Department at the appropriate level in discharge of their duties,
(c) place before the Pradhan and the Gram Panchayat a proposal for execution of a scheme, programme or project within the budgetary provisions of the Gram Panchayat for such purpose when the Pradhan or the Gram Panchayat shall consider the proposal for execution and for sanction of funds:
Provided that the Pradhan shall not sanction any fund for a scheme, programme or project without considering the views of the members of theUpa-Samiti to whom powers have been delegated by the Gram Panchayat with respect to such scheme, programme or project,
(d) call for any information, return, statement, account or report from the office of the Gram Panchayat and enter on and inspect any immovable property of the Gram Panchayat or inspect any work in progress connected with the functions and duties of the Upa-Samiti,
(e) exercise such other powers, perform such other functions and discharge such other duties, as the Gram Panchayat may, by general or special resolution, direct or as the State Government may, by rules made in this behalf, prescribe.
(7) Each Upa-Samiti shall hold at least six meetings in a year in the office of the Gram Panchayat.
33. Gram Panchayat may manage estates and interests vested in the State. – The State Government may, by general or special order published in the Official Gazette, empower of a Gram Panchayat to manage the estates and all interests therein which are vested in the State and to exercise such powers, perform such functions and discharge such duties in connection therewith as may be conferred, assigned or imposed by or under any other law for the time being in force.
34. Powers, functions and duties of Pradhan and Upa-Pradhan. – (1) The Pradhan shall –
(a) be responsible for the maintenance of the records of the Gram Panchayat;
(b) have general responsibility for the financial and executive administration of the Gram Panchayat;
(c) exercise administrative supervision and control over the work of the staff of the Gram Panchayat and the officers and employees whose services may be placed at the disposal of the Gram Panchayat by the State Government;
(d) for the transaction of business connected with this Act or for the purpose of making any order authorised thereby, exercise such powers, perform such functions and discharge such duties as may be exercised, performed or discharged by the Gram Panchayat under this Act or the rules made thereunder:
Provided that the Pradhan shall not exercise such powers, perform such functions or discharge such duties as may be required by the rules made under this Act to be exercised, performed or discharged by the Gram Panchayat at a meeting;
(e) exercise such other powers, perform such other functions and discharge such other duties as the Gram Panchayat may, by general or special resolution, direct or as the State Government may, by rules made in this behalf, prescribe.
(2) The Upa-Pradhan shall –
(a) exercise such of the powers, perform such of the (unctions and discharge such of the duties of the Pradhan as the Pradhan may; from time to time, subject to rules made in this behalf by the State Government, delegate to him by order in writing:
Provided that the Pradhan may at any time withdraw all or any of the powers, functions and duties so delegated to the Upa-Pradhan;
(b) during the absence of the Pradhan, exercise all the powers, perform all the functions and discharge all the duties of the Pradhan;
[(c) exercise such other powers, perform such other functions and discharge such other duties as the Gram Panchayat may, by general or special resolution, direct or as the State Government may, by rules made in this behalf, prescribe.]
