(1) Until other provision is made by law, as from the commencement of this Act the Varishta Panchayat shall have the right to discuss and make recommendations to the Administrator on,—
         (a) matters of administration involving general policy and schemes of development;
         (b) any other matter referred to it by the Administrator.
     (2) The functions of the Varishta Panchayat referred to in this section will be advisory only but due regard shall be given to such advice by the Administrator in reaching decisions on the matter in relation to which the advice is given.
     (3) No act or proceeding of the Varishta Panchayat shall be invalid by reason only of the existence of any vacancy amongst its members or any defect in the constitution thereof.
     (4) Every member of the Varishta Panchayat shall before entering upon his duties under this Act make and subscribe before the Administrator an oath or affirmation in the following form, namely:—
         "I, A.B., a member of the Varishta Panchayat of the Union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, do swear in the name of God that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India solemly affirm
         as by law established and that I will faithfully discharge the duty upon which I am about to enter.".