(1) The Nagar Panchayat or the Council, as the case may be, may, from time to time, grant such leave of absence to the Chairperson or the Vice- Chairperson as it may deem fit.

(2) If a Chairperson or a Vice- Chairperson remains absent from. office owing to illness or any other cause for a period exceeding three months without the leave of the Nagar Panchayat or the Council, as the case may be, he shall cease to be Chairperson or Vice- Chairperson, as the case may be, and his office shall become vacant.

(3) During the absence on leave of the Chairperson, the Vice- Chairperson and in the like event in the case of a Vice- Chairperson such one of the Councillors as may be elected by them to act as Vice- Chairperson, shall discharge the functions of the Chairperson or the Vice- Chairperson, as the case may be.

(4) The Vice- Chairperson or the Councillor shall, during and in respect of the period in which he is acting as, or discharging the function I 7 of Chairperson or Vice- Chairperson, as the case may be, exercise the powers conferred and perform the duties imposed on a Chairperson or a Vice- Chairperson by or under this Act or by any other law for the time being in force.