(1) The Pradhan shall have, in addition to the powers and functions conferred and imposed on him by or under theAct, the following powers and functions, namely:
(a) The Pradhan shall be responsible for custody of the seal of the Gram Panchayat;
(b) Subject to the prior approval of the Gram Panchayat, the Pradhan shall have the power to enter into any contract relating to work and expenditure of the Gram Panchayat.
(i) ThePradhan, when authorized by theGram Panchayat in a meeting, may suspend any employee of the Gram Panchayat in the exigency of public interest or if it is expedient from the administrative point of view, and the reasons for suspension shall be recorded in writing. Immediately after the suspension, the Pradhan shall send a detailed report mentioning the reasons for such suspension along with the views of Gram Panchayat recorded in a meeting to the concerned Block Development Officer and ex-officio Executive Officer of the Panchayat Samiti. On receipt of such report from the Pradhan, the Block Development Officer and ex-officio Executive Officer of the Panchayat Samiti shall forthwith issue a show-cause notice to the suspended employee and upon receiving a reply to the show-cause notice, the Block Development Officer and ex-officio Executive Officer shall, after due consideration of the reply and the report of the Pradhan along with the views of the Gram Panchayat, initiate disciplinary proceedings against the concerned employee:
Provided that theBlock Development Officer and the ex-officio Executive Officer of thePanchayat Samiti may revoke the order of suspension and reinstate the delinquent employee, if the allegation levelled against the employee is not substantiated.
(ii) Subject to the approval of the Gram Panchayat, the Pradhan may recommend to the concerned Block Development Officer and ex-officio Executive Officer of the Panchayat Samiti for initiation of a disciplinary proceeding against the Executive Assistant, Secretary, the Job Assistant, the Sahayak and the Gram Panchayat Karmees;
(c) (i) ThePradhan may grant casual leave to the staffof theGram Panchayat in the manner and to the extent as has been specified in theWest Bengal Service Rules, Part-I,
(ii) ThePradhan may, subject to the approval of theGram Panchayat, recommend any other kind of leave, including earned leave, commuted leave, leave not due, maternity leave or quarantine leave in the manner and to the extent as indicated in theWest Bengal Service Rules, Part I for the staff of the Gram Panchayat to the concerned Block Development Officer and ex-officio Executive Officer of the Panchayat Samiti.
(2) TheUpa-Pradhan shall exercise such powers and perform such functions as thePradhan may, from time to time, delegate to him by order in writing:
Provided that no financial power or function shall be delegated to the Upa-Pradhan by thePradhan without approval of the Gram Panchayat.
CHAPTER IX Method of recruitment, conditions of service, and duties of employees of a Gram Panchayat