Sections 56I 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.
This article explains the Maharashtra Public Trusts Act, 1950 as it applies in the State of Maharashtra, formerly the Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950. Sections 56I to 56M, in Chapter VII-A, set out how the State Government names the chairman and treasurer of a committee of management, how the committee meets, how it forms sub-committees and how its Secretary and staff are appointed and paid.
This article explains sections 56I to 56M as amended up to Maharashtra Act No. XXXVI of 2018 (in force 21 May 2018), per the official text of the Law and Judiciary Department modified up to 19 December 2018. Maharashtra amended the Act again in 2019, 2020, 2024 and 2025; the amending texts consulted do not change these sections, but the current text should be checked on the Charity Commissioner's website before relying on them.
The State Government appoints the chairman and treasurer from among the committee's members and may direct honorarium, fees and allowances from the Management Fund. The committee meets as prescribed, and routine business follows regulations approved by the State Government. It may appoint sub-committees by resolution and associate non-members who cannot vote. The State Government may appoint a Secretary; the committee appoints other staff, and a salary above one hundred per mensum needs previous approval of the State Government.
Scope
These sections apply only within Chapter VII-A, to committees for the endowments explained in Sections 56C and 56D. The members and their term are in Sections 56E to 56H. The Management Fund is created by section 56QQ, which is explained in Sections 56Q and 56QQ.
Section 56I: chairman and treasurer
- "The State Government shall from amongst the members, of a committee appoint a chairman and shall also appoint a treasurer."
- "The State Government may direct that the chairman, treasurer and other members of the committee may be paid such honorarium or fees and allowances from the Management Fund constituted under section 56QQ and in such manner as may be prescribed."
The words "from the Management Fund constituted under section 56QQ" were substituted for "from such fund" by Mah. 6 of 1964, s. 3. Two points stand out. The chairman is chosen "from amongst the members", but the text does not say that the treasurer must be a member. And the payment is permissive: the State Government "may direct", and the amounts and manner are "prescribed", in rules that are not described here. Committees dealing with the appointment papers, including resolutions on the payments, may use board resolution and legal documents support.
Section 56J: meetings and procedure
"The Committee shall meet at such intervals and follow such procedure in exercising its powers and discharging its duties and functions as may be prescribed; but the day-to-day proceedings and routine business shall be despatched in accordance with regulations made by it, and approved by the State Government."
The section divides the subject. The intervals and procedure are "as may be prescribed". Routine business follows the committee's own regulations, and those regulations need the State Government's approval; the power to make them is in section 56S, explained in Sections 56S and 56T. The text prints no quorum and no fixed number of meetings.
Section 56K: sub-committees and associated persons
"A committee may by resolution appoint such sub-committees as it may think fit, and may delegate to them such powers and duties as it specifies in the resolution; and a committee or sub-committee may associate with itself, generally or for any particular purpose, in such manner as may be determined by regulations, any person who is not a member, but whose assistance or advice it may desire; and the person associated as aforesaid shall have the right to take part in the discussions of the committee or sub-committee, relevant to that purpose, but shall not have the right to vote at any meeting thereof."
| Power | Detail |
|---|---|
| Sub-committees | By resolution; the committee decides how many |
| Delegation | Only the powers and duties the resolution specifies |
| Associating non-members | "generally or for any particular purpose", in the manner set by regulations |
| Rights of an associated person | May take part in the discussions relevant to that purpose; "shall not have the right to vote" |
An engineer, a temple priest's representative or a chartered accountant can be associated for advice, but cannot vote. The delegation is limited by the resolution, so the resolution should be precise.
Section 56L: Secretary and other officers
- "The State Government may appoint a Secretary to the Committee."
- "The committee may appoint such officers (other than the Secretary) and servants at it thinks necessary for the efficient performance of the duties and functions of the committee under this Act", with a proviso: "no officer or servant who is paid or is to be paid salary of over one hundred per mensum shall be appointed by a committee without the previous approval of the State Government."
The figure "one hundred per mensum" is quoted as printed in the official text, which names no unit of money; it is an old figure, and the reader should check the law and rules now in force before relying on it. The Secretary is appointed by the State Government and not by the committee. Other officers and servants are appointed by the committee, with State approval only above the printed limit.
Section 56M: terms of service and pay
- "The Secretary, officers and servants shall be appointed on such terms and conditions as to service as may be prescribed by rules or, as the case may be, by regulations made by the committee."
- "The salary and allowances of the Secretary, officers and servants of the committee shall be paid out of the Management Fund." These words were substituted for "out of such funds as may be prescribed" by Mah. 6 of 1964, s. 4.
So pay comes from the Management Fund. The terms and conditions come from rules or from the committee's regulations as the case may be.
Illustration. The State Government appoints a committee for a district temple group at Pandharpur and names one member as chairman and another person as treasurer. It also appoints a Secretary. The committee resolves to appoint a three-member sub-committee on repairs, delegating the power to obtain estimates only, and associates a retired engineer who attends but does not vote. When it wants to engage an accountant on a monthly salary above the printed limit, it first obtains the State Government's approval.
Need help with committee resolutions and appointments?
A committee works through resolutions on sub-committees, delegation and staffing. Our team can prepare the resolutions and supporting papers through board resolution and legal documents support.
Key takeaways
- The State Government appoints the chairman (from among the members) and the treasurer.
- Honorarium, fees and allowances may be paid from the Management Fund as directed and prescribed.
- Meetings follow what is prescribed; routine business follows regulations approved by the State Government.
- Sub-committees are set up by resolution, with only the powers the resolution specifies.
- The State Government may appoint the Secretary; a salary above the printed limit needs its previous approval.
- Salaries are paid out of the Management Fund.
Read next
- Sections 56E to 56H: committees of management, term and disqualification
- Sections 56N to 56P: duties of the committee and State Government directions
- Sections 56S and 56T: regulations and provisions not applying
Disclaimer: Based on the Maharashtra Public Trusts Act, 1950 as modified up to 19 December 2018 in the official text of the Law and Judiciary Department, Government of Maharashtra, as consulted on 3 October 2026. Maharashtra amended the Act again in 2019, 2020, 2024 and 2025; the current text, the Maharashtra Public Trusts Rules and the Charity Commissioner's circulars should be checked. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.