40. Power to supersede Authority.-(1) If at any time the Central Government is of the opinion that an Authority is unable to perform, or has persistently made default in the performance of the duty imposed on it by or under this Act or has exceeded or abused its powers, or has wilfully or without sufficient cause, failed to comply with any direction issued by the Central Government under section 38, the Central Government may, by notification, supersede that Authority for such period not exceeding six months, as may be specified in the notification: Provided that before issuing a notification under this sub-section, the Central Government shall give reasonable time to that Authority to make representation against the proposed supersession and shall consider the representations, if any, of the Authority. (2) Upon the publication of a notification under sub-section (1) superseding the Authority,- (a) the Chairperson and other Members of the Authority shall, notwithstanding that their term of office has not expired as from the date of supersession, vacate their offices as such; (b) all the powers, functions and duties which may, by or under the provisions of this Act, be exercised or discharged by or on behalf of the Authority shall, during the period of supersession, be exercised and performed by such person or persons as the Central Government may direct; (c) all property vested in the Authority shall, during the period of supersession, vest in the Central Government. (3) On the expiration of the period of supersession specified in the notification issued under sub-section (1), the Central Government may- (a) extend the period of supersession for such further period not exceeding six months; or (b) reconstitute the Authority in the manner provided in section 31.
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