Regional Advisory 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.
Sections 13 to 15 of the Rajasthan Public Trusts Act, 1959 set up a Regional Advisory Committee for the area of each Assistant Commissioner in Rajasthan. The Committee advises on trust property and accounts, an Assistant Commissioner cannot ignore that advice without going to the Board, and a member of a different religion cannot take part in matters of a trust of another religion.
This article explains sections 13 to 15 of the Rajasthan Public Trusts Act, 1959 (Rajasthan Act 42 of 1959) as amended up to the date of the English text published by the Devasthan Department, Government of Rajasthan, consulted on 3 October 2026; that copy does not state the date of its last amendment. Check the current text with the State's Devasthan Department before relying on it.
The State Government establishes, by Gazette notification, a Regional Advisory Committee for the area of each Assistant Commissioner (section 13). Members hold office for five years and the State Government names the Chairman. Each Committee advises the Assistant Commissioner on Chapters VI and VII matters, and the Assistant Commissioner may not exercise powers in those matters without obtaining, and otherwise than in accordance with, that advice, except through the Board route in section 12 (section 14). A member must not take part in a matter about a trust of a religion the member does not profess (section 15(2)).
The place of the Committees
Chapter IV came into force at once under section 1(3). The Committees are the regional counterpart of the State Board described in sections 11 and 12. The Board sits at State level; a Committee sits in the area of each Assistant Commissioner, whose local limits are set under section 8.
Trustees expecting a matter to go before a Committee can plan it with a compliance advisory review.
Section 13: establishment and membership
| Sub-section | Rule as printed |
|---|---|
| (1) | The State Government shall, by Gazette notification, establish a Regional Advisory Committee for the area within the jurisdiction of each Assistant Commissioner, consisting of such number of members representing each interest as may be prescribed. |
| (2) | All members are appointed by the State Government by Gazette notification and, save as otherwise provided, hold office for five years from the date of publication of the notification. |
| (3) | The State Government shall appoint one of the members to be Chairman. |
| (4) | If a member cannot complete the term because of death, resignation, removal or otherwise, the vacancy is filled by another person, who serves for the unexpired portion of the term. |
| (5) | Members, including the Chairman, may be paid travelling and other allowances for attending meetings and, subject to the prescribed conditions and restrictions, for journeys in connection with the affairs of the Committee, at rates fixed by the State Government. |
The Act leaves the number of members and the interests they represent to the rules. The allowance rates are for the State Government to fix, and no rate is stated in the Act.
Section 14: functions of Committees
Sub-section (1). Every Committee shall, in relation to its area, tender advice to the Assistant Commissioner of that area in respect of matters arising under Chapter VI and VII. Chapter VI covers management of trust property (investment of money and previous sanction for transfers), and Chapter VII covers accounts, audit, budget and inspection.
The sub-section then restricts the Assistant Commissioner. Save as otherwise provided in section 12(2) and (3), no Assistant Commissioner shall exercise powers in such matters "without obtaining, and otherwise than in accordance with advice". In plain terms, he must get the Committee's advice and follow it, unless he disagrees and refers the matter to the Board, in which case he follows the Board's decision.
Sub-section (2). Every Committee performs such other functions as may be prescribed.
The practical effect is that decisions such as previous sanction for a sale or lease under section 31 or a direction for a special audit under section 33 involve the Committee. A trust applying for sanction should expect the Assistant Commissioner to place the application before the Committee, and should plan its timetable accordingly. This assumes that Chapters VI and VII have been applied to the trust by notification under section 1(4); the notifications are not part of the text consulted.
Section 15: conduct of business, staff and the religion rule
Sub-section (1). The manner in which the business of the Board or a Committee is conducted, the staff required and their conditions of service, and the removal of members, are determined by rules made by the State Government. The Act therefore does not itself contain rules of procedure or removal; for those, read the Rules. Our article on rules 10 to 15 of the Rajasthan Public Trust Rules, 1962 covers meetings, disqualification, removal, resignation and staff.
Sub-section (2). No member of the Board or a Committee shall participate in the discussion of, or vote on, a matter before it if the matter relates to a public trust representing a particular religion and the member is not a person professing that religion. The rule is about the member's religion measured against the trust's religion, and it covers both discussion and voting.
Three things to check before a Committee matter
- Which Assistant Commissioner has jurisdiction, because the Committee is tied to that area.
- Whether the trust falls within the class to which Chapters VI and VII have been applied.
- Whether any member who would sit on the matter professes the religion the trust represents; section 15(2) bars a member who does not.
Worked example
An invented Jain charitable trust in Udaipur seeks sanction to sell a plot. The Regional Advisory Committee for the area considers the Assistant Commissioner's file. A member who is not a person professing the Jain religion may not take part in the discussion or the vote, because the matter relates to a public trust representing a particular religion and he does not profess it. The Committee's advice is then given by the remaining members. If the Assistant Commissioner disagrees with that advice, he refers it to the Board.
Points that are not in the text
The Act does not say how many members must be present for a Committee to act, how often it meets, or what time the Committee has to give advice. These are matters for the Rules and for the Committee's own business, and the published copy of the Act is silent. A trustee should ask the Assistant Commissioner's office when the matter is likely to be heard.
Need help preparing for a Committee?
Applications for sanction and accounts matters that go before a Regional Advisory Committee need clean papers and a clear request. Our team can prepare the file and explain the route to your trustees. A short compliance advisory session is a good way to plan the steps for your trust.
Key takeaways
- A Regional Advisory Committee is established for the area of each Assistant Commissioner, with members holding office for five years.
- The State Government appoints the Chairman and fixes allowances.
- Committees advise on Chapter VI and VII matters, and the Assistant Commissioner must act in accordance with the advice unless he refers a disagreement to the Board.
- The conduct of business, staff and removal of members are for the rules.
- A member who does not profess the religion a trust represents cannot discuss or vote on a matter about that trust.
Read next
- Sections 11 and 12 of the Rajasthan Public Trusts Act, 1959: the State Advisory Board
- Rules 10 to 15 of the Rajasthan Public Trust Rules, 1962: meetings, disqualification and staff
- Section 31 of the Rajasthan Public Trusts Act, 1959: previous sanction for transfers
Disclaimer: Based on the English text of the Rajasthan Public Trusts Act, 1959 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.