If, for any reason other than temporary absence, any vacancy occurs in the office of ¹[the Presiding Officer of a Tribunal or the Chairperson of an Appellate Tribunal], then the Central Government shall appoint another person in accordance with the provisions of this Act to fill the vacancy and the proceedings may be continued before the Tribunal or the Appellate Tribunal from the stage at which the vacancy is filled.

1 . Subs. by s. 2, ibid., for "the Presiding Officer of a Tribunal or an Appellate Tribunal " (w.e.f. 17-1-2000).