Section 154 · Appointment of Executive Officer and his functions

(1) The Block Development and Panchayat Officer shall be the Executive Officer of the concerned Panchayat Samiti. (2) Save as otherwise expressly provided by or under this Act, the Executive Officer shall - (a) exercise all the powers specifically imposed or conferred upon him by or under this Act or under any other law for the time being in force; (b) lay down the duties of and supervise and control officers and officials of or holding office under the Panchayat Samiti in accordance with the rules made by the State Government; (c) supervise and control the execution of all works of the Panchayat Samiti; (d) take necessary measures for the speedy execution of all works and development schemes of the Panchayat Samiti; (e) have custody of all papers and documents connected with the proceeding of the meetings of the Panchayat Samiti and of its Committees; (f) draw and disburse moneys out of the Panchayat Samiti Fund; and (g) exercise such other powers and discharge such other functions as may be prescribed. (3) The Executive Officer shall attend every meeting of the Panchayat Samiti and shall have the right to attend the meetings of all the Standing Committees thereof and shall take part in the discussion but shall not have the right to move any resolution or to vote: Provided that if in the opinion of the Executive Officer any proposal before the Panchayat Samiti is violative of or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, or any other law, rule or order made thereunder, it shall be his duty to bring the same to the notice of the Panchayat Samiti. (4) The Executive Officer shall also have the following powers, namely: - (a) to issue notice under instructions from the Chairman of the Panchayat Samiti and Chairman of the Standing Committee, for meetings of the Panchayat Samitis and the Standing Committees thereof; (b) to exercise administrative control over employees of the Panchayat Samiti engaged on the Community Development Programme; (c) to sign application to the Magistrate of competent jurisdiction for recovery of money claimable by the Panchayat Samiti; (d) to acquire land or other immovable property by agreement; (e) preparation of the budget for the consideration of the Standing Committee for Finance and Taxation; (f) to make contract on behalf of the Panchayat Samiti subject to such terms, rates or maximum price as the Panchayat Samiti may fix in any case or class of cases; (g) to make contract involving such sum as the Panchayat Samiti may be authorized in this behalf; (h) to keep custody of the common seal and to use it.