INTRODUCTORY:

Whether the emergency powers conferred on the Collector under Section 203 of the Tamil Nadu Panchayats Act, 1994, [hereinafter referred to as "the Act"], would enable him to take away the cheque signing power of the President and Vice President of the Village Panchayat under Sub-Section (3) of Section 188 of the Tamil Nadu Panchayats Act, 1994 is the core issue that arises for consideration in this Writ Petition.

THE FACTS:

2. The petitioner was elected as the President of Peragambi Panchayat during the year 2011. She took office on 25 October, 2011. According to the petitioner, she has been conducting the affairs of the Panchayat in a highly transparent manner. The Panchayat Assistant was not rendering any help in the matter of maintenance of accounts. The petitioner was compelled to look after the functions of the Panchayat President as well as the administrative work.

3. While the matters stood thus, the District Collector, in her capacity as the Inspector of Panchayat, issued an order on 23 March, 2012, whereby and whereunder, the cheque signing power of the petitioner was taken away. Before passing such a drastic order, no notice was issued to her. T