Rules 10 explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
Rules 10 to 15 of the Rajasthan Public Trust Rules, 1962 tell the Rajasthan Public Trust Board and each Regional Advisory Committee how to meet and decide, who cannot sit on them, how the State Government can remove a member, how a member resigns and who staffs them. They carry out section 15(1) of the Rajasthan Public Trusts Act, 1959.
This article explains rules 10 to 15 of the Rajasthan Public Trust Rules, 1962 as amended up to the date of the copy published by the Devasthan Department, Government of Rajasthan (consulted 3 October 2026; no amendment date is stated). Check the current text with the State's Devasthan Department before relying on it.
The Board meets at the Commissioner's headquarters, at least twice a year, with three weeks' notice and a quorum of one-third (rule 10). A Regional Committee meets at the Assistant Commissioner's headquarters, also at least twice a year, with a quorum of one-third (rule 11). Rule 12 lists the disqualifications, rule 13 lets the State Government remove a member after a show-cause opportunity, rule 14 allows resignation in writing, and rule 15 provides a Secretary and staff.
How these rules fit the Act
Section 15(1) of the Act says the manner in which the business of the Board or a Committee is conducted, its staff, its conditions of service and the removal of members "shall be determined by rules made by state Government". Rules 10 to 15 are those rules. Section 15(2) separately bars a member from discussing or voting on a matter about a public trust of a religion he does not profess; see sections 13 to 15. Composition and allowances are in rules 4 to 9. If a body of this kind has asked for your trust's papers or your views, our compliance advisory team can prepare them.
Rule 10: conduct of business of the Board
Rule 10 is divided into clauses (i) to (xi):
| Clause | Point | Rule as printed |
|---|---|---|
| (i) | Place and frequency | Ordinarily at the Commissioner's headquarters, at intervals the Chairman directs or on written request of at least two-thirds of all members; at least two meetings a year at reasonable intervals |
| (ii) | Notice | Date, time and place fixed by the Chairman and communicated by the Secretary at least three weeks before |
| (iii) | Agenda | The Secretary prepares the agenda under the Chairman's instructions and circulates it before the meeting |
| (iv) | Other questions | The Chairman may allow any question consistent with the Act and Rules, without prior notice |
| (v) | Records | The Commissioner supplies all relevant record and information before the meeting |
| (vi) | Referred cases | In cases the Assistant Commissioner refers under section 12(2) the Board communicates its decision directly to him; in other matters the Board may communicate its views to the State Government |
| (vii) | Presiding | The Chairman presides; if absent, the members present elect one of themselves |
| (viii) | Signing | The Chairman signs communications and may authorise the Secretary in writing |
| (ix) | Quorum | One-third of the whole number of members; without quorum the meeting is postponed |
| (x) | Conflict | A member shall not take part, vote or express views where the matter relates to a trust in which he is personally concerned |
| (xi) | Decisions | By majority of members present; on a tie the Chairman has a second vote |
Clause (vi)(a) matters because section 12(3) of the Act requires the Assistant Commissioner to act according to the Board's decision in a referred case. Clause (x) is a conflict rule that works alongside the religion rule in section 15(2).
Rule 11: conduct of business of the Regional Advisory Committee
Rule 11 follows the same pattern for a Committee, in clauses (i) to (vii):
- The Secretary calls meetings, under the Chairman's instructions, "whenever deemed necessary", at the Assistant Commissioner's headquarters; there must be at least two meetings a year at reasonable intervals.
- The Chairman presides; if he is absent the members present elect one of themselves.
- The Committee communicates its advice to the Assistant Commissioner in writing, with the dissenting note, if any.
- The Secretary informs members and the Chairman well in advance and sends the agenda, date, time and place with the Chairman's approval.
- The Assistant Commissioner places all relevant record and information before the Committee before the meeting.
- One-third of all members make a quorum; if there is none the meeting is postponed. Decisions are by majority of members present, and the Chairman has a second vote on a tie.
- The Chairman signs communications and may authorise the Secretary in writing to sign and dispose of papers.
Unlike rule 10, rule 11 prints no minimum notice period; it says only "well in advance". The advice goes to the Assistant Commissioner, who must obtain it before using powers in Chapters VI and VII (section 14 of the Act).
Rule 12: disqualifications
A person is disqualified for appointment as, or for being, a member of the Board or a Committee if he:
| Ground (as printed) | Plain meaning |
|---|---|
| (a) less than twenty-one years of age | Minimum age 21 |
| (b) convicted by a criminal court of an offence involving moral turpitude | Conviction of that kind |
| (c) of unsound mind and so declared by a competent court | Declared unsound mind |
| (d) an un-discharged insolvent | Insolvency not discharged |
| (e) found guilty of misconduct | Misconduct finding |
| (f) ceases to profess the religion or persuasion he represents | Change of religion represented |
| (h) is illiterate | Illiterate |
| (g) is otherwise unfit | Otherwise unfit |
The printed lettering puts clause (h) before clause (g); the published copy has a typing slip there. The grounds are read as eight in all. Clause (b) and clause (c) are printed run together on one line.
Rule 13: removal
If it appears to the State Government that the Chairman or a member "has incurred any of the disqualifications specified in rule 12 or has contravened any provision of the Act or rules thereunder or refuses to act or is incapable of acting or failed without sufficient excuse to attend three consecutive meetings", the State Government may remove him. Before doing so it must give him "an opportunity of showing cause" and consider any cause shown. "The decision of the State Government shall be final."
Rule 14: resignation
The Chairman or any member may resign "by writing under his hand addressed to the State Government". The proviso says he continues to hold office "until the appointment of his successor is notified in the Official Gazette". A resignation does not therefore end the office on its own: the successor's notification does.
Rule 15: staff
- Board. The State Government appoints a Secretary (rule 15(1)(a)). The Commissioner places other staff from his Department at the Board's disposal as considered necessary (b). Staff costs, travelling and dearness allowances and other expenditure are met from the Commissioner's office Budget under the head "Board Expenditure" (c).
- Regional Advisory Committee. The State Government provides a Secretary and such subordinate and class IV servants as it fixes by order, with a separate Budget (rule 15(2)). The printed copy reads "class FV servants"; this is read as class IV, a typing slip.
Worked example
An invented Regional Advisory Committee member, Mr Dinesh Rathore, misses three consecutive meetings without any excuse. The State Government may remove him under rule 13, but only after giving him an opportunity to show cause and considering his reply. If he instead resigns by writing to the State Government, he continues in office until his successor is notified in the Official Gazette. A separate member, Mr Ajay Singhvi, sits on a meeting where a matter about a trust in which he is personally concerned comes up; rule 10(x) says he should not discuss or vote on it.
Practical points
- Check the rule 10 notice period: three weeks for Board meetings.
- Record any dissenting note when the Committee advises the Assistant Commissioner.
- A member should leave the discussion on a trust in which he is personally concerned.
- Missing three consecutive meetings without sufficient excuse is a ground for removal.
- A resignation takes effect only on notification of the successor.
Need help with advisory body procedure?
Procedural rules decide whether an advice or decision stands. If your trust must appear before a Regional Advisory Committee, or its papers are called for, we can organise them and brief your trustees on the process. Contact us through compliance advisory to start.
Key takeaways
- The Board meets at least twice a year with three weeks' notice; one-third of members make a quorum (rule 10).
- A Regional Committee meets at least twice a year; one-third make a quorum and the Chairman has a second vote (rule 11).
- Rule 12 disqualifies, among others, persons under 21, illiterate persons and those who cease to profess the religion they represent.
- The State Government may remove a member after a show-cause opportunity, and its decision is final (rule 13).
- A resigning member stays in office until the successor is notified in the Gazette (rule 14).
Read next
- Rules 4 to 9 of the Rajasthan Public Trust Rules, 1962: composition, allowances and functions
- Sections 13 to 15 of the Rajasthan Public Trusts Act, 1959: Regional Advisory Committees and conduct of business
- Sections 11 and 12 of the Rajasthan Public Trusts Act, 1959: the State Advisory Board
Disclaimer: Based on the English text of the Rajasthan Public Trust Rules, 1962 published by the Devasthan Department, Government of Rajasthan, as consulted on 3 October 2026; that copy does not state the date of its last amendment. Later amendments, State notifications and current fees should be checked with the State authorities. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.