Section 109A. Custody and mode of proof of records

5 [ 109-A. (1) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any other provisions of this Act, (a) all records of a Gram Panchayat shall be in the custody of its Secretary; (b) The Secretary shall give to a person, on an application and on payment of such fee as may be prescribed, a copy of any such records and certify it as a true copy under his signature and seal of the Gram Panchayat. (2) A duly certified copy of any record of a Gram Panchayat shall be received as prima facie evidence of the existence of the record and shall be admitted as evidence of the matter therein recorded in every case, where and to the same extent as the original record would, if produced, have been admissible to prove such matters.]