State Act

The Maharashtra Village Panchayats Act.

178. Liability of members for loss, waste or misapplication.— (1) Every member of panchayat shall be personally liable for the loss, waste or misapplication of any money or other property of the panchayat to which he has been party, or which has been caused or facilitated by his misconduct or gross neglect of his duty as a member. (2) If, after giving the member concerned a reasonable opportunity for showing cause to the contrary, the Collector is satisfied that the loss, waste or misapplication of any money or other property of the panchayat is a direct consequence of misconduct or gross neglect on his part, the Collector shall by order in writing direct such member to pay to the panchayat before a fixed date, the amount required to reimburse it for such loss, waste or misapplication. (3) If the amount is not so paid the Collector shall recover it as an arrear of land revenue and credit it to the village fund. (4) Any person aggrieved by the decision of the Collector may apply to the District Court as provided in sub-section (6) of section 140, within the like time for redress of his grievance, and that court may pass any order thereon which it can pass under that section.