16.Reference to Village Panchayat where the Secretary delays to grant or refuse to approve permission

(1) The Panchayat shall, if the Secretary makes delay in granting or refusing approval for a building site, neither gives nor refuses permission to execute any work within thirty days from the date of receipt of the application, on the written request of the applicant, be bound to determine whether such approval or permission should be given or not.

(2) Where the Village Panchayat does not, within one month from the date of receipt of such written request, determine whether such approval or permission should be given or not, such approval or permission shall be deemed to have been given, and the applicant may proceed to execute work, but not so as to contravene any provision of the Act or these rules or bye-laws made thereunder. Provided that such execution of work shall be considered as duly permitted and not one for regularisation and the permit shall be issued as per rules even if the work has been commenced or being carried on or completed if it otherwise complies with the provisions of rule.