Rules 4 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 4 to 9 of the Rajasthan Public Trust Rules, 1962 fill in the detail the Rajasthan Public Trusts Act, 1959 leaves to rules for its two advisory bodies. They fix the number of members of the Rajasthan Public Trust Board and of each Regional Advisory Committee by interest, add to the Board's functions, deal with travelling allowances, and let committee members make spot visits.
This article explains rules 4 to 9 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.
Rule 4: the Rajasthan Public Trust Board has 21 members, 19 Hindus (4 Jains, 1 Sikh, 14 other Hindus), 1 Christian and 1 Zoroastrian. Rule 7: a Regional Advisory Committee has the same 21 seats by interest in its region. Rule 5: the Board also advises the Commissioner on matters he refers to it. Rule 6: members' journeys other than meetings need permission; the allowance rates are not legible in the published copy. Rule 9: the Chairman and members of a Regional Committee who represent a trust's interest may make spot inquiries or inspections.
How these rules fit the Act
These rules fall in Part III of the Rules, headed as giving effect to sections 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 of the Act. Section 11(1) sets up the Board as "an advisory Board to be called the Rajasthan Public Trust Board consisting of such number of members representing each interest as may be prescribed", and section 13(1) does the same for each Regional Advisory Committee. Rules 4 and 7 are those prescriptions. For the sections themselves, see the articles on the State Advisory Board and the Regional Advisory Committees. The Heading of Part III also lists "section-11 (1) and (5)", but section 11 of the published Act has only sub-sections (1) and (2); the reference to (5) reads as a slip in the published copy. If you serve on, or are nominated to, one of these bodies and want the rules read against your trust's position, our compliance advisory team can help.
Rule 4: composition of the Advisory Board
"The Rajasthan Public Trust Board shall consist of 21 members representing each interest as shown below." The table as printed:
| Interest | Members |
|---|---|
| (1) Hindus | 19 |
| (a) Jains | 4 |
| (b) Sikhs | 1 |
| (c) Other Hindus | 14 |
| (2) Christians | 1 |
| (3) Zoroastrians | 1 |
| Total | 21 |
The printed sub-groups of Hindus (4 + 1 + 14) add to 19, and 19 + 1 + 1 gives the total of 21. The Rules give no other categories.
Rule 5: functions of the Board
Rule 5 adds to section 12(1): "In addition to the functions prescribed in clauses (a), (b) and (c) of Sub-section (1) of Section 12 the Board shall tender advice to the Commissioner on such matters as are referred to by him for eliciting the views of the Board." This is the "other functions as may be prescribed" that section 12(1)(d) allows. It is advice only, and only on matters the Commissioner refers.
Rule 6: travelling and other allowances
Rule 6 is headed "Travelling and other allowances for Chairman and members of the Board". The published copy is incomplete here. Sub-rule (1) opens with a bracket and then shows no text; sub-rule (2) reads: "Except the journey undertaken for attending meetings of the Board no journey shall be undertaken by the Chairman or any members, without the permission of the State Government or such other officer as is authorised by the Government in this behalf"; sub-rule (3) is shown as "". The brackets show that the rule was amended at some date the copy does not state.
Two points follow. First, a journey for any purpose other than a meeting of the Board needs prior permission from the State Government or an officer it authorises. Second, no allowance amount or rate is printed in the copy, so none is stated here. Section 13(5) of the Act says allowances are paid at rates fixed by the State Government; check the current rates with the Devasthan Department.
Rule 7: composition of a Regional Advisory Committee
"A Regional Advisory Committee shall consist of 21 members representing each interest in the region as shown below." The table is identical to rule 4: Hindus 19 (Jains 4, Sikhs 1, Other Hindus 14), Christians 1, Zoroastrians 1, total 21. "Region" has the meaning in rule 2(g), the local limits of the area in which the Assistant Commissioner has jurisdiction. Appointment, term and chairmanship are in section 13 of the Act, not in the rule.
Rule 8: allowances of the Chairman and members of the Regional Committee
Rule 8 is headed "Travelling and other allowances for the Chairman and members of the Regional Advisory Committee". The published copy prints the heading without any text beneath it (the heading also carries a stray fragment, "Reg. final"). No allowance, rate or condition is therefore stated here. Rule 9 begins "Subject to Sub-rule (2) of Rule 6", which shows that the permission rule in rule 6(2) also reaches journeys by committee members.
Rule 9: additional functions of the Regional Advisory Committee
"Subject to Sub-rule (2) of Rule 6 the Chairman and such members of a Regional Advisory Committee as represent the interest to which a public trust pertains may visit any place connected with such trust for purposes of any spot inquiry or inspection." Three conditions can be read from the words: the visit is by the Chairman or by members who represent the interest to which the trust belongs; the place must be connected with the trust; and the purpose is a spot inquiry or inspection. The permission rule in rule 6(2) still applies. Section 15(2) of the Act separately stops a member from taking part in a matter relating to a trust of a religion the member does not profess.
The six rules at a glance
| Rule | Body | Subject | Rule in short |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Board | Composition | 21 members by interest |
| 5 | Board | Functions | Also advises the Commissioner on referred matters |
| 6 | Board | Allowances | Permission for non-meeting journeys; rates not legible |
| 7 | Regional Committee | Composition | Same 21 seats by interest in the region |
| 8 | Regional Committee | Allowances | Heading only in the published copy |
| 9 | Regional Committee | Spot visits | Chairman and interest members may inspect, subject to rule 6(2) |
Worked example
An invented Regional Advisory Committee for the Jodhpur region has a Chairman and members representing Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, Christians and Zoroastrians. A complaint is received about a Jain trust, Shri Parshwanath Jain Dharamshala Trust, Jodhpur. Under rule 9 the Chairman and the Jain members may visit the dharamshala for a spot inspection, but only with the permission rule 6(2) requires. A member who professes another religion should leave the discussion on that trust, as section 15(2) of the Act provides.
Practical points
- Count seats by interest, not by total: rule 4 and rule 7 allocate seats to each interest.
- Do not quote allowance rates from the published Rules; check the current rates with the Department.
- Ask for the permission in writing before a non-meeting journey, as rule 6(2) requires.
- A spot visit by a committee member is limited to the interest the member represents.
- Read these rules together with the sections and with rules 10 to 15, which cover meetings and removal.
Need help with advisory body rules?
If your trust has been asked for its views by a Regional Advisory Committee, or a member of your management has been nominated to one, the first step is to read the Act and the Rules together. We can set out the position for your trust. Reach us through compliance advisory to begin.
Key takeaways
- The Rajasthan Public Trust Board has 21 members: 19 Hindus (4 Jains, 1 Sikh, 14 other Hindus), 1 Christian and 1 Zoroastrian (rule 4).
- A Regional Advisory Committee has the same 21 seats by interest in its region (rule 7).
- The Board also advises the Commissioner on matters he refers (rule 5).
- Journeys other than for meetings need permission (rule 6(2)); no allowance rate is legible in the published copy.
- Chairman and interest members of a Regional Committee may make spot inquiries or inspections, subject to rule 6(2) (rule 9).
Read next
- Sections 11 and 12 of the Rajasthan Public Trusts Act, 1959: the State Advisory Board
- Sections 13 to 15 of the Rajasthan Public Trusts Act, 1959: Regional Advisory Committees and conduct of business
- Rules 10 to 15 of the Rajasthan Public Trust Rules, 1962: meetings, disqualification, removal and staff
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.