State Act

The Maharashtra Village Panchayats Act.

16. Disability from continuing as member.— (1) If any member of a panchayat,— (a) who is elected or appointed as such, was subject to any of the disqualifications mentioned in section 14 at the time of his election or appointment, or (b) during the term for which he has been elected or appointed, incurs any of the disqualifications mentioned in section 14, he shall be disabled from continuing to be a member, and his office shall become vacant. (2) 3[If any question whether a vacancy has occurred under this section is raised by the Collector suo motu or on an application made to him by any person in that behalf, the Collector shall decide the question as far as possible within sixty days from the date of receipt of such application. Until the Collector decides the question, the member shall not be disabled under sub-section (1) from continuing to be a member.] Any person aggrieved by the decision of the Collector may, within a period of fifteen days from the date of such decision, appeal to the 4[Commissioner], and the orders passed by the 5[Commissioner] in such appeal shall be final : Provided that, no order shall be passed under this sub-section by the Collector against any member without giving him a reasonable opportunity of being heard.