Amendment status not verified — confirm the current text below against the official source.
Custody and maintenance of Gram Panchayat records and properties.-- (1) The Sarpanch and in his absence the Panch authorised by the Gram Panchayat or by the Block Development and Panchayat Officer in this behalf shall be responsible for the safe custody of the movable properiy of the Gram Panchayat and such of its records as may be prescribed and immovable property belonging to or vested in the Gram Panchayat shall also remain in his charge. {2) The Panchayat Secretary shall be responsible to maintain up-to- date all the record of the Gram Panchayat in the custody of the Sarpanch or the Panch an under section (1). (3) The Sarpanch or Panch, as the case may be, shall before filing of his nomination papers for election or on vacation of his office due to any cause whatsoever shall handover complete charge of such record and property to the Block Development and Panchayat Officer. (4) If the Sarpanch or the Panch fails to hand over such records or property as specified in sub-section (1) within the period as may be prescribed, the Block Development and Panchayat Officer may apply to an Executive Magistrate within whose jurisdiction the Gram Sabha area is situated for securing from such Sarpanch or Panch such records or property, as the case may be. ee ol eee 16 THE PUNJAB PANCHAYATI RAJ ACT, 1994 (5) On receipt of an application under sub-section (4), the Executive Magistrate may, by an order, authorise any police officer not below the rank of a Sub-Inspector to enter and search any place where such records or property are kept or are believed to be kept, and to seize them and the records and property so seized shall be handed over as soon as possible to the Block Development and Panchayat Officer concerned. (6) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, whoever, in contravention of the provisions of this section wilfully evades the handing over of such record or property shall, on conviction by Judicial Magistrate of the first class be punishable with imprisonment either description which may extend to three years or with fine or with both. Comments Punjab General Clauses Act, 1898 (1 of 1898), Section 15, 17 — Suspension/ Removal/Death of Sarpanch — Substitution of functionaries — Authorised Panch — Power of -- All the duties and functions lo be performed by the office of the Sarpanch shall also be performed by the authorised Panch having charge of the office of the Sarpanch -- Every authorised Panch to officiate the office of Sarpanch shall have same powers for the period he remains in the office, which usually can be exercised by the Sarpanch. Jeet Singh Panch v. State of Punjab and others, 2012(2) LAR. 252 (P&H). Punjab General Clauses Act, 1898 (1 of 1898), Section 15, 17 - Suspension/ Removal/Death of Sarpanch — Substitution of functionaries —- Authorised Panch — Power of — Suspension of Sarpanch does not mean that entire development works of the village shall not be allowed to proceed with -- Authorised Panch can spend money for the development work in the village as per valid resolution and prevailing law during the period Sarpanch remains suspended or post of Sarpanch remains unfilled due to suspension, removal or death of elected Sarpanch. Jeet Singh Panch v. State of Punjab and others, 2012(2) L.A.R. 252 (P&H).