Chairman to act as Chairman or to discharge his functions in certain circumstances.—

(1) In the event of the occurrance of any vacancy in the office of the Chairman by reason of his death, resignation or otherwise, 1[such one of the Members] as the appropriate Government may, by notification, authorise in this behalf, shall act as the Chairman until the date on which a new Chairman, appointed in accordance with the provisions of this Act to fill such vacancy enters upon his office.

(2) When the Chairman is unable to discharge his functions owing to absence, illness or any other cause, the Vice-Chairman or, as the case may be, such one of the Vice-Chairmen as the appropriate Government may, by notification, authorise in this behalf, shall discharge the functions of the Chairman until the date on which the Chairman resumes his duties. 2