(1) For every Gram the State Government shall constitute a Gram Panchayat bearing the name of the Gram.
(2) Persons whose names are included in the electoral roll of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly for the time being in force pertaining to the area comprised in the Gram, shall elect by secret ballot at such time and in such manner as may be prescribed, from among themselves such number of members not being less than seven or more than twenty-five as may be determined by the prescribed authority in accordance with such rules as may be made in this behalf by the State Government, and the members so elected, shall be the members of the Gram Panchayat.
(3) For the convenience of the election the prescribed authority shall, in accordance with such rules as may be made in this behalf by the State Government,—
(a) divide the area of a Gram into constituencies, not being less than three or more than fourteen, on the basis of number of members of Gram Panchayat determined under sub-section (2);
(b) allocate to each such constituency seats, not exceeding three, on the basis of electorate of the Gram.
268 The West Bengal Panchayat Act, 1973.
XLI of 1973.]
(Part 11.—Gram Panchayat.—Chapter 11.—Constitution of Gram Panchayat.—Section 5.)
(4) Every Gram Panchayat constituted under this section shall be notified in the Official Gazette and shall come into office with effect from the date of its first meeting at which a quorum is present.
(5) Every Gram Panchayat shall be a body corporate having perpetual succession and a common seal and shall, by its corporate name, sue and be sued.