The Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950

The Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950 GOVERNMENT OF GUJARAT LEGISLATIVE AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT Bombay Act No. XXIX of 1950 The Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950 (As modified upto the 31st May, 2012) [1950: Bom. XXIX Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950 THE BOMBAY PUBLIC TRUSTS ACT, 1950. CONTENTS. PREAMBLE. SECTIONS. CHAPTER I. PRELIMINARY. 1. Short title, extent, operation and application. 2. Definitions. 2A. [Deleted.] 2B. Construction of certain references in the Act in their application to that part of Gujarat to which the Act extends. CHAPTER II. ESTABLISHMENT. 3. Charity Commissioner. 3A. Joint Charity Commissioners. 4. Qualifications for appointment of Charity Commissioner. 5. Deputy and Assistant Charity Commissioners. 6. Subordinate Officers. 6A. Charity Commissioner and other officers to be servants of State Government. 6B. Cost of pay, pension, etc., of Charity Commissioner, etc., to be paid to Government out of the Public Trusts Administration Fund. 7. Assessors. 8. Delegations. CHAPTER III. CHARITABLE PURPOSES AND VALIDITY OF CERTAIN PUBLIC TRUSTS. 9. Charitable purposes. 10. Public trust not to be void on ground of uncertainty. 11. Public trust not void on ground that it is void for non-charitable or non- religious purpose. 12. Public trust not void on ground of absence of obligation. 13. Public trust not void on failure of specific object of society, etc. ceasing to exist. CHAPTER IV. REGISTRATION OF PUBLIC TRUSTS. 14. Regions and sub-regions. 1950: Bom. XXIX] Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950 3 of 53 SECTIONS. 15. Public Trusts Registration Offices. 16. Deputy or Assistant Charity Commissioner to be in charge of Public Trusts Registration Office. 17. Books, indices and registers. 18. Registration of public trusts. 19. Inquiry for registration. 20. Findings of Deputy or Assistant Charity Commissioners. 21. Entries in register. 22. Change. 22A. Further inquiry by Deputy or Assistant Charity Commissioner. 22B. Registration of trust property in the name of public trust, which has already been registered, etc. 22C. Registration of particulars of immovable property of trusts already registered with certain officers and authorities. 23. Procedure where trust property is situated in several regions or sub- regions. 24. Stay of inquiry. 25. Inquiry regarding public trust not to be held by more than one Deputy or Assistant Charity Commissioner. 26. Court to forward copy of decision to Charity Commissioner. 27. [Repealed.] 28. Public trusts previously registered under enactments specified in Schedule. 28A. Copy of entries relating to immovable property to be sent to sub-registrar, revenue and local authorities. 28B. [Deleted.] 29. Public trust created by will. 30. Notice of particulars of immovable property and scripts entered in register. 31. Bar to hear or decide suits. CHAPTER V. ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT. 32. Maintenance of Accounts. 33. Balancing and auditing of accounts. 34. Auditor's duty to prepare balance sheet and to report irregularities, etc. [1950: Bom. XXIX Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950 SECTIONS. 35. Investment of public trust money. 36. Alienation of immovable property of public trust. CHAPTER VI. CONTROL 37. Power of inspection and supervision. 38. Explanation on report of auditor. 39. Report to Charity Commissioner. 40. Decision of Charity Commissioner on report under section 39. 41. Order of surcharge. 41A. Power of Charity Commissioner to issue directions to trustees and other persons. CHAPTER VII. OTHER FUNCTIONS AND POWERS OF CHARITY COMMISSIONER. 42. Charity Commissioner to be Corporation sole. 43. Charity Commissioner to be Treasurer of Charitable Endowments under Act, VI of 1890. 44. Charity Commissioner can act as trustee of public trusts. 45. Charity Commissioner may with consent be appointed trustee of settlement by grantor. 46. Appointment of Charity Commissioner as trustee under will. 47. Power of Court to appoint new trustee or trustees as the case may be. 47A. Power to Court to vest property in new trustee. 47AA. Power of Charity Commissioner to apply to Court for appointment of new trustee where trustee convicted under Act. 47B. Court not to appoint Charity Commissioner as trustee of religious trust and Charity Commissioner not to accept such trust if management of religious affairs is involved. 48. Levy of administrative charges. 49. Transfer of property by Charity Commissioner. 50. Suits relating to public trusts. 50A. Power of Charity Commissioner to frame, amalgamate or modify schemes. 51. Consent of Charity Commissioner for institution of suit. 52. Non-application of sections 92 and 93 of Civil Procedure Code to public trusts. 1950: Bom. XXIX] Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950 5 of 53 SECTIONS. 52A. Suit against assignee for valuable consideration not barred by time. 53. Bequest under will for benefit of public trust. 54. Dharmada. 55. Cypres. 56. Court's power to hear application. 56A. Powers of trustee to apply for directions. 56B. Proceedings involving question affecting public charitable or religious purpose. CHAPTER VII-A. SPECIAL PROVISION AS RESPECTS RELIGIOUS AND CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS AND ENDOWMENTS WHICH VEST IN, OR THE MANAGEMENT OF WHICH VESTS IN, THE STATE GOVERNMENT. 56C. Provisions of Chapter VII-A to apply to certain endowments. 56D. Vesting, or transfer of management, of certain endowments. 56E. Committees of management. 56F. Term of office of members of committee. 56G. Disqualification of membership. 56H. Power of Government to appoint new member. 56I. Chairman and treasurer of committee. 56J. Meeting of and procedure for committee. 56K. Power of Committee to appoint sub-committees. 56L. Secretary and other officers of Committee. 56M. Terms and conditions of service of Secretary and other servants. 56N. General duties of committee. 56O. Act of committee not invalid by reason of vacancy or defect 56P. Power of State Government to issue directions. 56Q. Power of Charity Commissioner to require duties of committee to be performed and to direct expenses in respect thereof to be paid from fund of committee, etc. 56R. Power to supersede a committee. 56S. Power to make regulations. 56T. Non-application of certain provisions of this Act to endowments. [1950: Bom. XXIX Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950 SECTIONS. CHAPTER VIII. PUBLIC TRUSTS ADMINISTRATION FUND. 57. Public Trusts Administration Fund. 58. Contribution by public trusts to Public Trusts Administration Fund. 59. Penalties as recovery of contribution. 60. Application of Public Trusts Administration Fund. 61. State Government to direct crediting of funds constituted under any Act in Schedule to Public Trusts Administration Fund constituted under this Chapter. CHAPTER IX. ASSESSORS. 62. Lists of Assessors. 63. Person summoned to attend at the time and place specified. 64. Cases in which assessors shall be summoned. 65. Number of assessors to be called. CHAPTER X. OFFENCES AND PENALTIES. 66. Penalty. 67. Other offences. CHAPTER XI FUNCTIOS OF CHARITY COMMISSIONERS, PROCEDURE, JURISDICTION APPEALS. 68. Duties, functions and powers of Deputy or Assistant Charity Commissioner. . 69. Duties, functions and powers of Charity Commissioner. 70. Appeals from findings of Deputy or Assistant Charity Commissioner. 70A. Charity Commissioner to call for and examine record and proceedings before Deputy or Assistant Charity Commissioner. 71. Appeal to Bombay Revenue Tribunal. 72. Application from Charity Commissioner's decision under section 40, 41 or 70, etc. 73. Officers holding inquiries to have powers of Civil Court. 74. Inquiries to be judicial inquiries. 75. Limitation. 76. Civil Procedure Code to apply to proceedings under this Act. 1950: Bom. XXIX] Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950 7 of 53 SECTIONS. 77. Recovery of sums due under section 18, 41 or 48 or rules. CHAPTER XII. MISCELLANEOUS. 78. Charity Commissioner and other officers and assessors to be public servants. 79. Decision of property as public trust property. 79A. Recovery of costs and expenses incurred on legal proceedings by Charity Commissioner, etc. 79B. Costs of proceedings before Courts including High Court. 79C. Costs of proceedings before Charity Commissioner, etc. 79CC. Compensatory costs for frivolous or vexatious proceedings before Charity Commissioner, etc. 79D. Court fee to be paid as prescribed by Schedule B. 80. Bar of jurisdiction. 81. Indemnity from suits and proceedings. 82. Trial of offences under this Act. 83. Previous sanction of Charity Commissioner necessary for prosecution. 84. Rules. 85. Repeal. 86. Further repeals and savings consequent on commencement of Bom. XXIX of 1950, in other areas of State. 87. Act not to apply to certain wakfs to which Act XXIX of 1954 applies or to Gurudwara governed by Hyderabad Act XXXVII of 1956 88. Provision for removal of difficulties. SCHEDULE A. SCHEDULE AA. SCHEDULE B. [1950: Bom. XXIX Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950 BOMBAY ACT NO. XXIX OF 19501. [THE BOMBAY PUBLIC TRUSTS ACT, 1950.] [14th August, 1950.] Amended by Bom. 47 of 1950. Amended by Bom. 14 of 1951. Amended by Bom. 39 of 1951. Amended by Bom. 28 of 1953. Amended by Bom. 21 of 1954. Amended by Bom. 59 of 1954. Amended by Bom. 23 of 1955. Adapted and modified by the Bombay Public Trusts (Corporations) Order, 1959. Amended by Bom. 6 of 1960. Amended by Bombay Charity Commissioner (Regional Reorganisation) Order, 1960. Adapted and modified by the Gujarat Adaptation of Laws (State and Con-current Subjects) Order, 1960. Amended by Guj. 36 of 1961. Amended by Guj. 31 of 1962. Amended by Guj. 31 of 1963. An Act to regulate and to make better provision for the administration of public religious and charitable trusts in the State of Bombay. WHEREAS it is expedient to regulate and to make better provision for the administration of public religious and charitable trusts in the State of Bombay; It is hereby enacted as follows: — CHAPTER I. PRELIMINARY. 1. (1) This Act may be called the Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950. 2[(2) It shall extend to the whole of the 3[State of Gujarat]. (3) This Act shall come into force at once but the provisions thereof shall apply to a public trust or any class of public trusts on the date specified in the notification under sub-section (4). (4) The State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette specify the date on which the provisions of this Act shall apply to any public trust or any 4[class of public trusts; and different dates may be specified for such trusts in different areas:] Provided that the State Government may also by a like notification direct that from the date specified therein any public trust or class of public trusts shall be exempt from the provisions of this Act: Provided further that before a notification of such application or exemption is published a draft thereof shall be published in the Official Gazette and in such other manner as may be prescribed for the information of persons likely to be affected thereby together with a notice specifying the date on or before which any objections or suggestions shall be received and the date on or after which the draft shall be taken into consideration. 2. In this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context:- (1) "assessor" means person appointed as an assessor under section 7; (2) "Assistant Charity Commissioner" means an Assistant Charity Com- Short title, extent, operation and application. Definitions. 1950: Bom. XXIX] Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950 9 of 53 missioner appointed under section 5; (3) "Charity Commissioner" means the Charity Commissioner appointed under section 3; (4) "Court" means in the Greater Bombay, the City Civil Court and else where the District Court; (5) "Deputy Charity Commissioner" means the Deputy Charity Commis- sioner appointed under section 5; (6) "Hindu" includes Jain, Buddhist and Sikh; (7) "Inspector" means an Inspector appointed under section 6; 5[(7A) "instrument of trust" means the instrument by which the trust is created by the author of the trust and includes a scheme framed by a competent authority; (7B) "Joint Charity Commissioner" means a Joint Charity Commissioner appointed under section 3A;] (8) "manager" means any person (other than a trustee) who for the time being either alone or in association with some other person or persons administers the trust property of any public trust and includes- (a) in the case of a math, the head of such math, (b) in the case of a wakf, a mutavalli of such wakf, (c) in the case of a society registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 its governing body, if the property of the society is not vested in a trustee; (9) "math" means an institution for the promotion of the Hindu religion presided over by a person whose duty it is to engage himself in imparting religious instructions or rendering spiritual service to a body of disciples or who exercises or claims to exercise headship over such a body and includes places of religious worship or instruction which are appurtenant to the insti tution; (10) "person having interest" 6[includes]- (a) in the case of a temple, person who is entitled to attend at or is in the habit of attending the performance of worship or service in the temple or who is entitled to partake or is in that habit of partaking in the distribution of gifts thereof, (b) in the case of a math, a disciple of the math or a person of the religious pursuasion to which the math belongs, (c) in the case of a wakf, a person who is entitled to receive any pecuniary or other benefit from the wakf and includes a person who has right to worship or to perform any religious rite in a mosque, idgah, imambara, dargah, maqbara, or other religious institution connected with the wakf or to participate in any religious or charitable institution under the wakf, (d) in the case of a society registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, any member of such society, and (e) in the case of any other public trusts, any beneficiary; XXI of 1860. [1950: Bom. XXIX Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950 (11) "prescribed" means prescribed by rules; (12) "public securities" means- (a) securities of the Central Government or any State Government, (b) stocks, debentures or shares in Railway or other companies, the interest or dividend on which has been guarnteed by the Central or any State Government, (c) debentures or other securities for other securities for money issued by or on behalf of any local authority in exercise of the powers conferred by an Act of the Central or State Legislature, (d) a security expressly authorised by an order which the State Government makes in this behalf; (13) "Public trust" means an express or constructive trust for either a public religious or charitable purpose or both and includes a temple, a math, a wakf, 7[a dharmada] or any other religious or charitable endowment and a society formed either for a religious or charitable purpose or for both and registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860; (14) "region" or "sub-region", means the areas designated as such and for which a Public Trusts Registration Office has been established under this Act; (15) "rules" means rules made under this Act; (16) 8[ * * * * * ] (17) "temple" means a place by whatever designation known and used as place of public religious worship and dedicated to or for the benefit of or used as of right by the Hindu community or any section thereof as a place of public religious worship; (18) "trustee" means a person in whom either alone or in association with other persons, the trust property is vested and includes a manager; (19) "wakf" means a permanent dedication by a person professing Islam of any movable or immovable property for any purpose recognised by the Islamic law as pious, religious or charitable and includes a wakf by user but does not include a wakf such as is described in section 3 of the Mussalman Wakf Validating Act, 1913, under which any benefit is for the time being claimable for himself by the person by whom the wakf was created or by any member of his family or descendants; (20) words and expressions used but not defined in this Act and defined in the Indian Trusts Act, 1882, shall have the meaning assigned to them in that Act. 2A. [Construction of certain references in the Act in their application to that part of Mysore to which the Act extends.] Deleted by Bom. 6 of 1960, s. 5. 9[2B. In the application of this Act to that part of the State of Gujarat to which it extends any reference therein by whatever form of words- (1) to the State or the State Government or the High Court shall be construed as a reference to the State, the Government or the High Court of Gujarat, (2) to the Bombay Revenue Tribunal shall be construed as a reference to the Gujarat Revenue Tribunal constituted under the Bombay Revenue Tribunal Act, 1957.] XXI of 1860. VI of 1913. II of 1882. Construction of certain references in the Act in their application to that part of Gujarat to which the Act extends. XXI of 1958. 1950: Bom. XXIX] Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950 11 of 53 CHAPTER II. ESTABLISHMENT. 3. 10[The State Government] may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint an Officer to be called the Charity Commissioner, who shall exercise such powers and shall perform such duties and functions as are conferred by or under the provisions of this Act and shall, subject to such general or special orders as the State Government may pass, superintend the administration and carry out the provisions of this Act 11[throughout the State]: 12[Provided that on and after the commencement of the Bombay Charity Commissioner (Regional Reorganisation) Order, 1960, made under the Bombay Statutory Corporations (Regional Reorganisation) Act, 1960, the State Government of Bombay may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint separate Officers to be called the Charity Commissioner, Bombay and the Charity Commissioner, Gujarat whose jurisdiction shall extend over the Maharashtra region and the Gujarat region, respectively, as defined in that Act. Where two separate Charity Commissioners are appointed, any reference in this Act to the Charity Commissioner shall, unless the context otherwise requires, be construed as a reference to the Charity Commissioner having jurisdiction.] 13[3A. The State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint one or more Officers to be called Joint Charity Commissioners who shall, subject to the control of the Charity Commissioner, and to such general or special order as the State Government may pass, exercise all or any of the powers and perform all or any of the duties and functions, of the Charity Commissioner.] 14[4. 15[A person to be appointed as the Charity Commissioner or a joint Charity Commissioner shall be one-] (a) who is holding or has held a judicial office not lower in rank than that of a District Judge or a judge of the Bombay City Civil Court, or the Chief Judge of the Presidency Small Cause Court, or (b) who has been for not less than ten years- (i) an advocate enrolled under the Indian Bar Councils Act, 1926, (ii) an attorney of High Court, or (iii) a pleader enrolled under the Bombay Pleaders Act, 1920.] 5. (1) The State Government may also appoint such number of Deputy and Assistant Charity Commissioners for such regions or sub-regions or for such public trust or such class of public trusts as may be deemed necessary. 17[(2) Aperson to be appointed as a Deputy Charity Commissioner shall be one- (a) who is holding or has held a judicial office not lower in rank than that of a Civil Judge (Senior Division) or a Judge of the Court of Small Causes of Bombay or any office which in the opinion of the State Government is an equivalent office, or (b) who has been for not less than eight years,- (i) an advocate enrolled under the Indian Bar Councils Act, 1926, Charity Commissioner. Bom. XXI of 1960. Joint Charity Commissioners. Qualifications for appointment of Charity Commissioner 16 [and Joint Charity Commissoner.] XXVIII of 1926. Bom. XVII of 1920. Deputy and Assistant Charity Commissioners. XXXVIII of 1926. [1950: Bom. XXIX Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950 (ii) an attorney of a High Court, or (iii) a pleader enrolled under the Bombay Pleaders Act, 1920. (2A) A person to be appointed as an Assistant Charity Commissioner shall be a person- (a) who is holding or has held a judicial office not lower in rank than that of a Civil Judge (Junior Division) or any office which in the opinion of the State Government is an equivalent office, for not less than four years, or (b) who has been for not less than seven years,- (i) an advocate enrolled under the Indian Bar Councils Act, 1929, (ii) an attorney of a High Court, or (iii) a pleader enrolled under the Bombay Pleaders Act, 1920.] (3) The Deputy and Assistant Charity Commissioners shall exercise such powers and perform such duties and functions as may be provided by or under the provisions of this Act 6. 18[For the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Act, the State Government may appoint the Director of Accounts and Assistant Directors of Accounts possessing the prescribed qualifications, Inspectors and other Subordinate officers] and assign to them such powers, duties and functions under this Act, as may be deemed necessary: 19[Provided that the State Government may, by general or special order and subject to such conditions as it deems fit to impose, delegate to the Charity Commissioner, 20[the Joint Charity Commissioner] and the Deputy and Assistant Charity Commissioners powers to appoint subordinate officers and servants as may be specified in the order.] 21[6A. 22[The Charity Commissioners], 23[the Joint Charity Commissioner,] the Deputy and Assistant Charity Commissioner, 24[the Director of Accounts, the Assistant Directors of Accounts,] the Inspectors and other subordinate] officers and servants appointed under this Act shall be the servants of the State Government and they shall draw their pay and allowances from the Consolidated Fund of the State. The conditions of service of such officers shall be such as may be determined by the State Government. 6B. There shall be paid every year out of the Public Trusts Administration Fund to the State Government such cost as the State Government may determine on account of the pay, pension, leave and other allowances of the Charity Commissioner, 25[the Joint Charity Commissioner], the Deputy and Assistant Charity Commissioners, 26[the Director of Accounts, the Assistant Directors of Accounts,] the Inspectors and other subordinate officers and servants appointed under this Act.] 7. (1) The assessors shall be appointed in the manner provided in Chapter IX for any region or sub-region or with respect to any particular public trust or class of public trusts or in connection with any particular matter or class of matters to such trust or class of trusts. (2) The assessors shall perform such functions as may be provided by or under the provisions of this Act 8. (1) The State Government may delegate any of its own powers or functions Bom. XVII of 1920. XXXVIII of 1926. Bom. XVII of 1920. Subordinate Officers. Charity Commissioner and other officers to be servants of State Government. Cost of pay, pension, etc., of Charity Commissioner etc., to be paid to Government out of the public Trusts Administration Fund. Assessors. Delegations. 1950: Bom. XXIX] Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950 13 of 53 under this Act to the Charity Commissioner or any other officer subject to such conditions as it thinks fit. (2) The State Government may also direct that any powers exercisable and duties or functions to be performed by any particular officer appointed under this Act may be performed by any other officer subject to such conditions as it thinks fit. CHAPTER III. CHARITABLE PURPOSES AND VALIDITY OF CERTAIN PUBLIC TRUSTS. 9. For the purposes of this Act, a charitable purpose includes- (1) relief of poverty or distress, (2) education, (3) medical relief, and (4) the advancement of any other object of, general public utility, but does not include a purpose which relates- (a) exclusively to sports, or (b) exclusively to religious teaching or worship. 10. Notwithstanding any law, custom or usage, a public trust shall not be void, only on the ground that the persons or objects for the benefit of whom or which it is created are unascertained or unascertainable. Explanation.-A public trust created for such objects as dharma, dharmada or punyakarya, punyadan shall not be deemed to be void, only on the ground that the objects for which it is created are unascertained or unascertainable. 11. A public trust created for purposes some of which are charitable or religious and some are not shall not be deemed to be void in respect to the charitable or religious purpose, only on the ground that it is void with respect to the non-charitable or non- religious purpose. 12. Any disposition of property for a religious or charitable purpose shall not be deemed to be void as a public trust, only on the ground that no obligation is annexed with such disposition requiring the person in whose favour it is made to hold it for the benefit of a religious or charitable object. 13. If any public trust is created for a specific object of a charitable or: religious nature or for the benefit of a society or institution constituted for a charitable or religious purpose, such trust shall not be deemed to be void only on the ground- (a) that the performance of the specific object for which the trust was created has become impossible or impracticable, or (b) that the society or institution does not exist or has ceased to exist, notwithstanding the fact that there was no intent for the appropriation of the trust property for a general charitable or religious purpose. CHAPTER IV. REGISTRATION OF PUBLIC TRUSTS. 14. (1) For the purposes of this Act, the State Government may form regions and sub-regions and may prescribe and alter limits of such regions and sub- regions. Charitable purposes. Public trust not to be void on ground of uncertainty. Public trust not void on ground that it is void for non- charitable or non- religious purpose. Public trust not void on ground of absence of obligation. Public trust not void on failure of specific object or society, etc., ceasing to exist. Regions and sub- regions. [1950: Bom. XXIX Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950 (2) The regions and sub-regions formed under this section, together with the limits thereof and every alteration of such limits shall be notified in the Official Gazette, 15. In every region or sub-region there shall be a Public Trusts Registration Office: Provided that for two or more regions or sub-regions, there may be one Public Trusts Registration Office: Provided further that for one region or sub-region there may be one or more Joint Public Trusts Registration offices. 16. The State Government may appoint a Deputy Charity Commissioner or Assistant Charity Commissioner to be in charge of one or more Public Trusts Registration Offices or Joint Public Trusts Registration Offices. 17. In every Public Trusts Registration Office or Joint Public Trusts Registration Office, it shall be the duty of the Deputy or Assistant Charity Commissioner in charge to keep and maintain such books, indices and other registers as may be prescribed. Such books, indices and registers shall contain such particulars as may also be prescribed. 18. (1) It shall be the duty of the trustee of a public trust to which this Act has been applied to make an application for the registration of the public trust. (2) Such application shall be made to the Deputy or Assistant Charity Commissioner of the region or sub-region within the limits of which the trustee has an office for the administration of the trust 27[or the trust property or substantial portion of the trust property is situated, as the case may be.] (3) Such application shall be in writing, shall be in such form and accom- panied by such fee as may prescribed. (4) Such application shall- (a) in the case of a public trust created before this Act was applied to it, be made, within three months from the date of the application of this Act, and (b) in the case of a public trust created after this Act comes into force, within three months of its creation. (5) Such application shall inter alia contain the following particulars:- 28[(ai) the designation by which the public trust is or shall be known (here-inafter referred to as the name of the public trust),] (i) the names and addresses of the trustees and the manager, (ii) the mode of succession to the office of the trustee, (iii) the list of the movable and immovable trust property and such descriptions and particulars as may be sufficient for the identification thereof, (iv) the approximate value of the movable and immovable property, (v) the gross average annual income of the trust property estimated on the income of three years immediately preceding the date on which the application is made or of the period which has elapsed since the Public Trust Registration Offices. Deputy or Assistant Charity Commissioner to be in charge of Public Trusts Registration Office. Books, indices and registers. Registration of public trurts. 1950: Bom. XXIX] Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950 15 of 53 creation of the trust, whichever period is shorter, (vi) the amount of the average annual expenditure in connection with such public trust estimated on the expenditure incurred within the period to which the particulars under clause (v) relate, (vii) the address to which any communication to the trustee or manager in connection with the public trust may be sent, (viii) such other particulars which may be prescribed: Provided that the rules may provide that in the case of any or all public trusts it shall not be necessary to give the particulars of the trust property of such value and such kind as may be specified therein. (6) Every application made under sub-section (1) shall be signed and verified in the prescribed manner by the trustee or his agent specially authorised by him in this behalf. It shall be accompanied by a copy of an instrument of trust, if such instrument had been executed and is in existence. 29[(7) It shall also be the duty of the trustee of the public trust to send memorandum in the prescribed form containing the particulars, including, the name and description of the public trust, relating to the immovable property of such public trust, 30[to the sub-registrar of the sub-district appointed under the Indian Registration Act, 1908, in which such immovable property is situate for purposes of registration. Such memorandum shall be sent within three months from the date of creation of the public trust and shall be signed and verified in the prescribed manner by the trustee or his agent specially authorised by him in this behalf.] 19. On the receipt of an application under section 18, or upon an application made by any person having interest in a public trust or on his own motion, the Deputy or Assistant Charity Commissioner shall make an inquiry in the prescribed manner for the purpose of ascertaining:- 31[(i) whether a trust exists and whether such trust is a public trust], (ii) whether any property is the property of such trust, (iii) whether the whole or any substantial portion of the subject-matter of the trust is situate within his jurisdiction, (iv) the names and addresses of the trustees and manager of such trust, (v) the mode of succession to the office of the trustee of such trust, (vi) the origin, nature and object of such trust, (vii) the amount of gross average annual income and expenditure of such trust, and (viii) any other particulars as may be prescribed under sub-section (5) of section 18. 20. On completion of the inquiry provided for under section 19, the Deputy or Assistant Charity Commissioner shall record his findings with the reasons therefor as to the matters mentioned in the said section, 32[and may make an order for the payment of the registration fee]. 21. (1) The Deputy or Assistant Charity Commissioner shall make entries in the register kept under section 17 in accordance with the findings recorded by XVI of 1908. Inquiry for registration. Findings of Deputy or Assistant Charity Commissioners. Entries in Register. [1950: Bom. XXIX Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950 him under section 20 or if appeals 33[or applications] are made as provided by this Act, in accordance with the final decision of the competent authority provided by this Act. (2) The entries so made shall, subject to the provisions of this Act and subject to any change recorded under the following provisions, be final and conclusive. 22. (1) Where any change occurs in any of the entries recorded in the register kept under section 17, the trustee shall, within 90 days from the date of the occurrence of such change, or where any change is desired in such entries in the interest of the administration of such public trust, report such change or proposed change to the Deputy or Assistant Charity Commissioner in charge of the Public Trusts Registration Office where the register is kept. Such report shall be made in the prescribed form. 34[(1A) Where the change to be reported under sub-section (1) relates to any immovable property, the trustee shall, alongwith the report, furnish a memo- randum in the prescribed form containing the particulars (including the name and description of the public trust) relating to any change in the immovable property of such public trust, for forwarding it to the sub-registrar referred to in sub-section (1) of section 18. Such memorandum shall be signed and verified in the prescribed manner by the trustee or his agent specially authorised by him in this behalf.] (2) For the purpose of verifying the correctness of the entries in the register kept under section 17 or ascertaining whether any change has occurred in any of the particulars recorded in the register, the Deputy or Assistant Charity Commissioner may hold an inquiry. (3) If the Deputy or Assistant Charity Commissioner, as the case may be after receiving a report under sub-section (1) and holding an inquiry, if necessary under sub-section (2), or merely after holding an inquiry under the said sub- section (2), is satisfied that a change has occurred in any of the entries recorded in the register kept under section 17 in regard to a particular public trust, he shall record a finding with the reasons therefor to that effect. Such finding shall be appealable to the Charity Commissioner. The Deputy or Assistant Charity Commissioner shall amend the entries in the said register in accordance with such finding and if appeals 35[or applications] were made against such finding, in accordance with the final decision of the competent authority provided by this Act. The amendments in the entries so made shall, subject to any further amendment on the occurrence of a change, be final and conclusive. 36[(4) Whenever an entry is amended under sub-section (3), the Deputy or Assistant Charity Commissioner, as the case may be, shall forward the memo- randum furnished to him under sub-section (1A), after certifynig the amended entry to the sub-Registrar referred to in sub-section (1) of section 18, for the purpose of registering the change.] 37[22A. If at any time after the entries are made in the register under section 21 or 22 it appears to the Deputy or Assistant Charity Commissioner that any particular relating to any public trust, which was not the subject-matter of the inquiry under section 19, or sub-section (3) of section 22, as the case may be, has remained to be enquired into, the Deputy or Assistant Charity Commissioner, as the case may be, may make further inquiry in the prescribed manner, record his findings and make entries in the register in accordance with the decision arrived at or if appeals or applications are made as provided by this Act, in accordance with the decision of the competent authority provided by this Act. The provisions of sections 19, 20, 21 and 22 shall, so far as may be, apply to the inquiry, the recording of findings and the Change. Further Inquiry by Deputy or Assistant Charity Commissioner. 1950: Bom. XXIX] Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950 17 of 53 making of entries in the register under this section.] 38[22B. (1) In the case of a public trust — (a) which is deemed to have been registered under this Act or under section 28, or (b) which has been registered under this Act before the date of the coming into force of the Bombay Public Trusts (Amendment) Act, 1955 (herein after referred to as the said date) on an application made under section 18, or (c) in respect of which an application for registration has been made under section 18 and such application was pending on the said date, the trustee of such public trust shall within three months from the said date make an application in writing for registration of the property of the public trust in the name of such trust and shall state in the application the name of the public trust (2) Such application shall be signed and verified in the prescribed manner by the trustee or his agent specially authorised by him in this behalf and made to the Deputy or Assistant Charity Commissioner who made entries in respect of such public trust in the register kept under section 17 or with whom the application for registration of the public trust was pending, as the case may be. (3) On receipt of such application, the Deputy or Assistant Charity Commis- sioner shall- (a) in the case of a public trust which is deemed to have been registered under section 28 or which has been registered under this Act before the said date specify the name of the public trust against the entries made in respect of such trust in the register kept under section 17, and (b) in the case of a public trust the application for the registration of which was pending on the said date specify the name of the public trust at the time of making entries under section 21 in respect of such public trust in the register kept under section 17. 22C. 39[(1)] In the case of a public trust,- (a) which is deemed to have been registered under this Act under 40[section 28, read with Schedule A], or (b) which has been registered under this Act before the coming into force of the Bombay Public Trusts (Amendment) Act, 1955 (hereinafter referred to as the said date) on an application made under section 18, or (c) in respect of which an application has been made under section 18 and such application was pending on the said date, the trustee of such public trust shall within three months from the said date send a memorandum in the prescribed form containing the particulars, including the name and description of the public trust, relating to the immovable property of such public trust to the 41[officers specified in sub-section (1) of section 18 for the purposes of registration]. Registration of trust property in the name of public trust which has already been registered, etc. Bom. 23 of 1965. Registration of particulars of im- movable property of trusts already registered with certain officers and authorities. Bom. 23 of 1965. [1950: Bom. XXIX Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950 Such memorandum shall be signed and verified in the prescribed manner by the trustee or his agent specially authorised by him in this behalf,] 42(2) In the case of a public trust deemed to have been registered under section 28 read with Schedule AA, the provisions of sub-section (/) shall apply with the modification that the said date shall refer to the date of the coming into force of the Bombay Public Trusts (Unification and Amendment) Act, 1959.] 23. If any part of the property of any public trust is situate within the limits of more than one region or sub-region, the Deputy or Assistant Charity Commissioner of the region or sub-region within the limits of which the public trust is registered, shall forward a copy of the entries to the Deputy or Assistant Charity Commissioner in charge of the region or sub-region within the limits of which such part of the trust property is situate. The Deputy or Assistant Charity Commissioner in charge of such region or sub-region shall make an entry in such book as may be prescribed for the purpose. A copy of such entry shall also be sent by the Deputy or the Assistant Charity Commissioner, as the case may be, to the Sub-Registrar appointed under the Indian Registration Act, 1908, of the sub-district within the limits of which such property or part thereof is situate. 24. No Deputy or Assistant Charity Commissioner shall proceed with an inquiry under section 19 or 22 in regard to any public trust which has been already registered in any other region or sub-region. 25. (1) If an inquiry under section 19 or 22 in regard to any public trust is pending before more than one Charity Commissioner whether Deputy or Assistant, the Charity Commissioner shall, on the application of any of the persons having interest in such public trust or of any Deputy or Assistant Charity Commissioner before whom such inquiry is pending or on his own motion, determine which of such Deputy or Assistant Charity Commissioner shall proceed with the inquiry in regard to such trust. (2) The determination of the Charity Commissioner under sub-section (/) shall be final and conclusive; and upon such determination, no Deputy or Assistant Charity Commissioner other than the Deputy or Assistant Charity Commissioner specified by the Charity Commissioner shall proceed with the inquiry in regard to the public trust under section 19 or 22, as the case may be. 26. Any Court of competent jurisdiction deciding any question relating to any public trust which by or under the provisions of this Act is not expressly or impliedly barred from deciding shall cause copy of such decision to be sent to the Charity Commissioner and the Charity Commissioner shall cause the entries in the register kept under section 17 to be made or amended in regard to such public trust in accordance with such decision. The amendments so made shall not be altered except in cases where such decision has been varied in appeal or revision by a court of competent jurisdiction. Subject to such alterations, the amendments made shall be final and conclusive. 27. [Stamping of scripts.] Repealed by Bom. 39 of 1951, s. 2, First Schedule. 28. (1) All public trusts registered under the provisions of any of the enactments specified in 43[Schedule A], 44[and Schedule AA] shall be deemed to have been registered under this Act from the date on which this Act may be applied to them. The Deputy or Assistant Charity Commissioner of the region or sub- region within the limits of which 45[a public trust had been registered under any of the said enactments] shall issue notice to the trustee of such trust for the purpose of recording entries relating to such trust in the register kept Bom. VI of 1960. Procedure where trust property is situate in several regions or sub- regions. XVI of 1908. Stay of inquiry. Inquiry regarding public trust not to be held by more than one Deputy or Assistant Charity Commissioner. Court to forward copy of decision to Charity Commissioner. Public trust previously registered under enactments specified in Schedule. 1950: Bom. XXIX] Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950 19 of 53 under section 17 and shall after hearing the trustee and making such inquiry as he thinks fit record findings with the reasons therefor. Such findings shall be in accordance with the entries in the registers already made under the said enactments subject to such changes as may be necessary or expedient. (2) Any person aggrieved by any of the findings recorded under sub-section (1) may appeal to the Charity Commissioner. (3) The provisions of this Chapter shall, so far as may be, apply to the making of entries in the register kept under section 17 and the entries so made shall be final and conclusive. 46[28A. The Deputy or Assistant Charity Commissioner shall send a memorandum in the prescribed form containing entries including the entry of the name and described of the public trust, relating to immovable property of such public trust made by him in the register kept under section 17— (i) to the sub-registrar of the sub-district appointed under the Indian Re- gistration Act, 1908, in which such immovable property is situate. 47[ * * * * * * *] 47[ * * * * * * *] 28B. [ Duty of certain officers and authorities to maintain registers of trust property.] Deleted by Bom. 6 of 1960, s. 17. 29. In the case of the public trust which is created by a will, the executor of such will shall within one month from the date on which the probate of the will is granted or within six months from the date of the testator's death 48[which- ever is earlier] make an application for the registration in the manner provided in section 18 and the provisions of this Chapter shall mutatis mutandis apply to the registration of such trust: 49[Provided that the period prescribed herein for making an application for registration may, for sufficient cause, be extended by the Deputy or Assistant Charity Commissioner concerned.] 30. Any person acquiring any immovable property 50**belonging to a public trust which has been registered under this Chapter or any part of or any share or interest in such property 50** of such trust shall be deemed to have notice of the relevant particulars relating to such trust entered in the register, 52[or in the registers maintained under section 28B.] 53[Explanation.-For the purposes of this section, a person shall be deemed to have notice of any particulars in the registers,- (1) when be actually knows the said particulars or when, but for wilful abstention from any inquiry or search which he ought to have made, or gross negligence, he would have known them; (2) If his agent acquires notice thereof whilst acting on his behalf in the course of business to which the fact of such particulars is material.] 31. (1) No suit to enforce a right on behalf of a public trust which has not been registered under this Act shall be heard or decided in any Court (2) The provisions of sub-section (1) shall apply to a claim of set off or other proceeding to enforce a right on behalf of such public trust Copy of entries relating to immovable property to be sent to sub- registrar, revenue and local authorities. XVI of 1908. Public trust by will. Notice of particulars of immovable property 51 ** entered in register. Bar to hear or decide suits. [1950: Bom. XXIX Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950 CHAPTER V. ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT. 32. (1) Eevery trustee of a public trust 54***** shall keep regular accounts. (2) Such accounts shall be kept in such form as may be approved by the Charity Commissioner and shall contain such particulars as may be prescribed. 33. (1) The accounts kept under section 32 shall be balanced each year on the thirty-first day of March or such other day, as may be fixed by the Charity Commissioner. (2) The accounts shall be audited annually in such manner as may be pres- cribed and by a person 55[who is a chartered accountant within the meaning of the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949] or by such persons as may be authorised in this behalf by the State Government. (3) Every auditor acting under sub-section (2) shall have access to the accounts and to all books, vouchers, other documents and records in the possession of or under the control of the 56[trustee]. (4) Notwithstanding anything contained in the preceding sub-sections:- 57[(a)] the Charity Commissioner may direct a special audit of the accounts of any public trust whenever in his opinion such special audit is necessary. The provisions of sub-sections (2) and (3) shall, so far as may be applicable, apply to such special audit. The Charity Commissioner may direct the payment of such fee as may be prescribed for such special audit; 58[and (b) State Government may, by general or special order, exempt any public trust or class of public trusts from the provisions of sub-section (2), subject to such conditions as may be specified in the order.] 34. (1) It shall be the duty of every auditor auditing the accounts of a public trust under section 33 to prepare a balance sheet and income and expenditure account and to forward a copy of the same to the Deputy or Assistant Charity Commissioner of the region or sub-region or to the Charity Commissioner, if the Charity Commissioner required him to do so. (2) The auditor shall in his report specify all cases of irregular, illegal or im- proper expenditure or failure or omission to recover moneys or other property belonging to the public trust or of loss or waste of money or other property thereof and state whether such expenditure, failure, omission, loss or waste was caused in consequence of breach of trust, or misapplication or any other misconduct on the part of the trustees, or any other person. 35. 59[(1)] Where the trust property consists of money and cannot be applied immediately or at any early date to the purposes of the public trust the trustee shall be bound 60[(notwithstanding any direction contained in the instrument of the trust) to deposit the money in any Scheduled Bank as defined in the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, in the Postal Savings Bank or in a Co- operative bank approved by the State Government for the purpose or to invest it in public securities]: Provided that such money may be invested in the first mortgage of immovable property situate in 61[any part of India] if the property is not leasehold for a term of years and the value of the property exceeds by one- half the mortgage money: Maintenance of accounts. Balancing and auditing of accounts. XXXVIII of 1949. Auditor's duty to prepare balance sheet and to report irregularities, etc. II of 1934. Investment of public trust money. 1950: Bom. XXIX] Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950 21 of 53 Provided further that the Charity Commissioner may by general or special order permit the trustee of any public trust or classes of such trusts to invest the money in any other manner. 62[(2) Nothing in sub-section (1) shall effect any investment or deposit already made before the coming into force of the Bombay Public Trusts (Amendment) Act, 1954, in accordance with a direction contained in the instrument of the trust: Provided that any interest or dividend received or accruing from such investment or deposit on or after the coming into force of the said Act or any sum 63[so invested or deposited] on the maturity of the said investment of deposit shall be applied or invested in the manner prescribed in sub-section (1).] 36. 64[(1)] 65[Notwithstanding anything contained in the instrument of trust-] (a) no sale, mortgage, exchange or gift or any immovable property, and (b) no Lease for a period exceeding ten years in the case of agricultural land or for a period exceeding three years in the case of non-agricultural land or a building, belonging to a public trust, shall be valid without the previous sanction of the Charity Commissioner. 66[(2) The decision of the Charity Commissioner under sub-section (1) shall be communicated to the trustees and shall be published in such manner as may be prescribed. (3) Any person aggrieved by such decision may appeal to the Gujarat Revenue Tribunal within thirty days from the date of its publication. (4) Such decision shall, subject to the provisions of sub-section (3) be final.] CHAPTER VI. CONTROL. 37. 67[(1)] The Charity Commissioner, the Deputy or Assistant Charity Com- missioner or any officer authorised by the State Government by a general or special order shall have power- (a) to enter on and inspect or cause to be entered on and inspected any property belonging to a public trust; (b) to call for or inspect any extract from any proceedings of the trustees of any public trust and 68[any books of accounts or documents in the possession, or under the control, of the trustees or any person on behalf of the trustees]; (c) to call for any return, statement, account or report which he may think fit from the trustees or any person connected with a public trust: Provided that in entering upon any property belonging to the public trust the officers making the entry shall give reasonable notice to the trustee and shall have due regard to the religious practices or usages of the trust. 69[(2) It shall be the duty of every trustee to afford all reasonable facilities to Bom. LIX of 1964. Alienation of immovable property of public trust. Power of inspection and supervition. [1950: Bom. XXIX Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950 any officer exercising any of the powers under sub-section (1) and the trustees 70[and person referred to in sub-section (1)] shall comply with any order made or direction issued by such officer in exercise of the power conferred upon him by or under sub-section (1).] 38. On receipt of a report of the auditor under section 34 71[or of a report, if any, made by an officer authorised under section 37] the Deputy or Assistant Charity Commissioner to whom the report is submitted shall require the trustee or any other person concerned to submit an explanation thereon within such period as he thinks fit. 72[39. On considering the report referred to in section 38, and the accounts and explanation, if any, furnished by the trustees or any other person, and after holding an inquiry in the prescribed manner, the Deputy or Assistant Charity Commissioner shall record his finding as to whether the trustees or any other person have been guilty of gross negligence, a breach of trust, misapplication or misconduct which has resulted in loss to the public trust and make a report thereof to the Charity Commissioner.] 40. The Charity Commissioner shall, after considering the report of the Deputy or Assistant Charity Commissioner, giving an opportunity to the person concerned and holding such inquiry as he thinks fit, determine- (a) the amount of loss caused to a public trust; (b) whether such loss was due to any 73[gross negligence, breach of trust,] misapplication or misconduct on the part of any person; (c) whether any of the trustees, or any other person was responsible for such loss; (d) the amount which any of the trustees or any other person is liable to pay to the public trust for such loss. 41. (1) If the Charity Commissioner decides that any person is liable to pay to the public trust any amount for the loss caused to the trust, the Charity Commissioner may direct that the amount shall be surcharged on the person. (2) Subject to the provisions of section 72, the order of the Charity Com- missioner under sub-section (1) shall be final and conclusive. 74[41A. (1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Charity Commissioner may, from time to time, issue directions to any trustee of a public trust or any person connected therewith to ensure that such trust is properly administered and the income thereof is properly accounted for or duly appropriated and applied to the objects and for the purposes of the trust (2) It shall be the duty of every such trustee and person to comply with a direction issued to him under sub-section (1)]. CHAPTER VII. OTHER FUNCTIONS AND POWERS OF CHARITY COMMISSIONER. 42. 75[Each Charity Commissioner] shall be a corporation sole and shall have perpetual succession and common seal and may sue and be sued in his corporate name. 43. 76[ 77(* * *)] Notwithstanding anything contained in the Charitable Endowments Act, 1890, 78[the Charity Commissioner, Bombay (hereinafter in this section referred to as "the Charity Commissioner")] shall be deemed to be and to have always been the Treasurer of Charitable Endowments for 79[that part of the +State of Bombay to Explanation on report of auditor. Report to Charity Commissioner. Decision of Charity Commissioner on report under section 39. Order of surcharge. Power of Charity Commissioner to issue directions to trustees and other persons. Charity Commissioner to be corporation sole. Charity Commissioner to be Treasurer of Charitable Endow- ments under Act VI of 1890. VI of 1890. 1950: Bom. XXIX] Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950 23 of 53 which this Act extends] appointed under the provisions of the said Act and the property vesting in the said Treasurer before the date on which this Act comes into force shall be deemed to vest in the Charity Commissioner as the Treasurer of Charitable Endowments; and the provisions of the said Act shall apply to the Charity Commissioner as the Treasurer of Charitable Endowments appointed under the said Act. 80 * * * * * * 44. (1) Subject to the provisions of this Act 81[and] the rules made there under the Charity Commissioner may be appointed to act as a trustee of a public trust by a Court of competent jurisdiction or by the author of the trust. (2) Save as herein provided, the Charity Commissioner acting as a trustee of a public trust shall have the same powers, duties and liabilities and be entitled to the same rights and privileges as any other trustee of a public trust. (3) The Charity Commissioner may decline, either absolutely or except on such conditions as he may impose, to accept any trust. (4) The Charity Commissioner shall be the sole trustee and it shall not be lawful to appoint him as a trustee alongwith other persons. 45. (1) Any person intending to create a public trust may by the instrument creating the trust and with the consent of the Charity Commissioner appoint him by that name or any other description to be the trustee of such trust: Provided that the consent of the Charity Commissioner shall be recited in the said instrument and that such instrument shall be executed by the Charity Commissioner or any officer duly authorised by him in that behalf. (2) Upon such appointment the trust property shall vest in the Charity Commissioner and shall be held by him upon the terms declared in such instrument. 46. Where the Charity Commissioner by that name or any other sufficient description has been appointed a trustee of any public trust under any will, the executor of the will of the testator or the administrator of his estate shall 82[within a period of three months from the date of] obtaining probate or letters of administration, notify in the prescribed manner, the contents of such will to the Charity Commissioner and if the Charity Commissioner consents to accept the trust then upon the execution by such executor or administrator of an instrument in writing transferring the property subject to the trust to the Charity Commissioner, such property shall vest in the Charity Commissioner and shall be held by him upon the trust expressed in the will: Provided that the consent of the Charity Commissioner shall be recited in the instrument and that such instrument shall be executed by the Charity Commissioner or any officer duly authorised by him in that behalf : 83[Provided further that where, under any law for the time being in force, no probate or letters of administration are necessary for the administration of the estate of the testator, the executor or administrator, as the case may be, shall notify the contents of the will within the period of three months from the time when the contents of the will become known to him.]. 47. (1) Any person interested in a public trust or the Charity Commissioner may apply to the Court for the appoinment of a new trustee, when a trustee of such trust- Charity Commissioner can act trustee of Public trusts. Charity Commissioner may with con-sent be appointed trustee of settlement by grantor. Appointment of Charity Commissioner as trustee under will. Power of Court to appoint new trustee or trustees, as the case may be. [1950: Bom. XXIX Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950 (a) disclaims or dies; (b) is for a continuous period of six months absent from India without the leave of the Charity Commissioner or Deputy or Assistant Charity Commissioner or the officer authorised by the State Government in this behalf; (c) leaves India for the purpose Of residing abroad; (d) is declared an insolvent; (e) desires to be discharged from the trust; (f) refuses to act as a trustee; (g) becomes in the opinion of the Court unfit or physically incapable to act in the trust or accepts a position which is inconsistent with the trust; or (h) in any of the cases mentioned in Chapter III is not available to ad- minister the trust. (2) No such application shall be entertained,- (a) unless the trustee who on account of any of the reasons mentioned in clauses (a) to (h) of sub-section (1) is not fit or available to administer the trust is the sole trustee or unless by the vacation of office by one or more trustees on account of any of the said reasons the minimum number of trustees required by the instrument, scheme, order or decree of the Court or usage or custom of the trust for the administration of the trust is reduced; (b) (i) until the expiration of a period of three months from the date on which the trustee is not so fit or available to administer the trust; and (ii) if a new trustee has been appointed in the said office during the said period in accordance with the instrument, scheme, order or decree of the Court, or custom or usage of the trust. (3) The Court after making an inquiry 84[may by order appoint] the Charity Commissioner or any other person as the trustee to fill up the vacancy. (4) In appointing the trustee under sub-section (3) the Court shall have regard- (a) to the wishes of the author of the trust; (b) to the wishes of the person, if any, empowered to appoint a new trustee; (c) to the question whether the appointment will promote or impede the execution of the trust; (d) to the interest of the public or the section of the public who have interest in the trust; and (e) to the custom and usage of the trust. (5) Where the Charity Commissioner is appointed a trustee, he shall be the 1950: Bom. XXIX] Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950 25 of 53 sole trustee. (6) The 85[order] of the Court under sub-section (3), shall be deemed to be the decree of the Court and an appeal shall lie therefrom to the High Court. 86[47AA. Where a trustee of any public trust is convicted of an offence punishable under this Act, 87[or any amount is surcharged on him under sub-section (1) of section 41], the Charity Commissioner may apply to the Court for the appointment of a new trustee, and thereupon the provisions of subsections (3), (4), (5) and (6) of section 47 shall apply as they apply to an application made under sub-section (1) of that section.] 88[47A. It shall be lawful for the Court upon making any order appointing a new trustee under sub-section (3) of section 47 89[or section 47AA] either by the same or by any subsequent order to direct that any property subject to the trust shall vest in the person so appointed]. 90[47B. Nothing in section 44. 91[47 or 47AA]- (a) shall empower any Court to appoint the Charity Commissioner to be a trustee of any public trust for a religious purpose, or (b) shall entitle the Charity Commissioner to accept any trust, if such acceptance requires the Charity Commissioner to manage the affairs of any religious denomination or any section thereof in the matter of religion: Provided, that if the author of the public trust for a religious purpose so intends, or the person or the authority in whom or which the property of such public trust vest deems it expedient in public interest, the Court may appoint the Charity Commissioner, the sole trustee of such public trust or the Charity Commissioner may accept such trust]. 48. (1) When the Charity Commissioner is appointed a trustee of any public trust, there shall be levied such administrative charges whether by way of percentage or otherwise, as the State Government may prescribe. (2) The charges so levied may be at different rates for different properties or classes of properties or for different dudes. 49. (1) Nothing in this Act shall be deemed to prevent the transfer, by the Charity Commissioner, of any property vested in him as a trustee, to- (a) the original trustee (if any), (b) any other lawfully appointed trustee, or (c) any other person, if the court so directs. (2) Upon such transfer, such property shall vest in such trustee and shall be held by him upon the same terms as those upon which it was held prior to the transfer and the Charity Commissioner shall be exempt from all liability as trustee of such property except in respect of acts done before such transfer: Provided that in the case of any transfer under this section, the Charity Commissioner shall be entitled to retain out of the property any fees and administrative charges leviable in accordance with the provisions of this Act. 50. In any case- (i) where it is alleged that there is a breach of a public trust, Power of Charity Commissioner to apply to Court for appointment of new trustee where trustee convicted under Act. Power to Court to vest property in new trustee. Court not to appoint Charity Commis- sioner as trustee of religious trust and Charity Commissioner not to accept such trust if management of religious affairs is involved. Levy of administrative charges. Transfer of property by Charity Commissioner. Suits relating to public trusts. [1950: Bom. XXIX Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950 (ii) 93[where a direction is required to recover possession of a property belonging to a public trust] 94[or the proceeds thereof or for an account of such property or proceeds] from any person including a person holding adversely to the public trust, or (iii) where the direction of the court is deemed necessary for the admini- stration of any public trust, the Charity Commissioner 95[after making such enquiry as he thinks necessary] or two or more persons having an interest in the trust and having obtained the consent in writing of the Charity Commissioner as provided in section 51 may institute a suit whether contentions or not in the Court within the local limits of whose jurisdiction the whole or part of the subject-matter of the trust is situate, to obtain a decree for any of the following reliefs: — (a) an order for the recovery of the possession of such property 96[or proceeds thereof], (b) the removal of any trustee or manager, (c) the appointment of a new trustee or manager, 97[(cc) vesting any property in a trustee,] (d) a direction for taking accounts and making certain inquiries, (e) a declaration as to what proportion of the trust property or of the interest therein shall be allocated to any particular object of the trust, (f) a direction authorising the whole or any part of the trust property to be let, sold, mortgaged or exchanged, (g) the settlement of a scheme or variations or alterations in a scheme already settled, or (h) granting such further or other relief as the nature of the case may require: Provided that no suit claiming any of the reliefs specified in this section shall be instituted in respect of any public trust except in conformity with the provisions thereof: 98[Provided further that the Charity Commissioner may, instead of instituting a suit, make an application to the Court for a variation or alteration in a scheme already settled.] 99[50A. (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in section 50, where the Charity Commissioner has reason to believe that, in the interest of the proper management or administration of a public trust, a scheme should be settled for it, or where two or more persons having interest in a public trust make an application to him in writing in the prescribed manner that, in the interest of the proper management or administration of a public trust, a scheme should be settled for it, the Charity Commissioner may if after giving the trustees of such trust due opportunity to be heard, he is satisfied that it is necessary or expedient so to do, frame a scheme for the management or administration of such public trust (2) Where the Charity Commissioner is of opinion that in the interest of the proper management or administration, two or more public trusts may be amalgamated by framing a common scheme for the same, he may, after- Power of Charity Commissioner to frame, amalgamate or modify schemes. 1950: Bom. XXIX] Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950 27 of 53 (a) publishing a notice in the Official Gazette and also in at least two newspapers (one in English, and the other in the language of the region) with a wide circulation in the region in which the trust is registered, and (b) giving the trustees of such trusts and all other interested persons due opportunity to be heard, frame a common scheme for the same. 100[(2A) A scheme under this section may provide for the number of trustees, the mode of appointment of trustees including the appointment of the first trustees, vesting of the trust property in the trustees so appointed, mode of filling any vacancy of a trustee the remuneration of a trustee or manager of the public trust and where necessary, a clarification of the objects of the public trust.]. (3) The Charity Commissioner may, at any time, after hearing the trustees, modify the scheme framed by him under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2). (4) The scheme framed under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) or modified under sub-section (3) shall, subject to the decision of the competent court under section 72, have effect as a scheme settled or altered, as the case may be, under a decree of a Court under section 50.] 51. (1) If the persons having an interest in any public trust intend to file a suit of the nature specified in section 50, they shall apply to the Charity Com- missioner in writing for his consent. The Charity Commissioner, after hearing the parties and after making such inquiry as he thinks fit, may within a period of six months from the date on which the application is made, grant or refuse his consent to the institution of such suit. The order of the Charity Commissioner refusing his consent shall be in writing and shall state the reasons for the refusal. (2) If the Charity Commissioner refuses his consent to the institution of the suit under sub-section (1) the persons applying for such consent may file an appeal to the Bombay Revenue Tribunal constituted under the Bombay Revenue Tribunal Act, 1939, in the manner provided by this Act. (3) In every suit filed by persons having interest in any trust under section 50, the Charity Commissioner shall be a necessary party. (4) Subject to the decision of the Bombay Revenue Tribunal in appeal under section 71, the decision of the Charity Commissioner under sub-section (1) shall be final and conclusive. 52. 101[(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, the provisions of sections 92 and 93 of the said Code shall not apply to the public trusts. 102[ 103[(2) If] ] on the date of the application of the Act to any public trust any legal proceedings in respect of, such trust are pending before 104[any, Civil Court of competent jurisdiction] to which the Advocate General or the Collector exercising the powers of the Advocate General is a party, the Charity Commissioner shall be deemed to be substituted in those proceedings for the Advocate General or the Collector, as the case may be, and such proceedings shall be disposed of by such Court.] 105[(3) Any reference to the Advocate General made in any instrument, scheme, order or decree of any Civil Court of competent jurisdiction made or Consent of Charity Commissioner for institution of suit. Bom. XII of 1939. V of 1908. Non-application of sections 92 and 93 of Civil Procedure Code to public trusts. [1950: Bom. XXIX Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950 passed, whether before or after the said date, shall be construed as a reference to the Charity Commissioner.] 106[52A. Notwithstanding anything contained in the Indian Limitation Act, 1908, no suit against an assignee for valuable consideration of any immovable property of the public trust which has been registered or is deemed to have been registered under this Act for the purpose of following in his hands, such property or the proceeds thereof, or for an account of such property or proceeds shall be barred by any length of time.] 53. (1) Where under any will a bequest has been made in favour of a public trust or where such bequest itself creates a public trust, it shall be the duty of the executor under the will to forward a copy thereof to the Deputy or Assistant Charity Commissioner for the region or sub-region where 107[such trust] may have been, or is required to be registered. (2) No probate of any such will or letters of administration with such will annexed shall be granted by any Court whatsoever unless it is satisfied that a copy of such will has been forwarded to the Deputy or Assistant Charity Commissioner as provided by sub-section (1). 54. (1) Where according to the custom or usage of any business or trade or the agreement between the parties relating to any transaction any amount is charged to any party to the said transaction or collected under whatever name, as being intended to be used for a charitable or religious purpose the amount so charged or collected 108[(in this Act called "dharmada")] shall vest in the person charging or collecting the same as a trustee. (2) Any person charging or collecting such sums shall within three months from the expiration of the year for which his accounts are ordinarily kept submit an account in such form as may be prescribed to the Deputy or Assistant Charity Commissioner. (3) The Deputy or Assistant Charity Commissioner shall have power to make such inquiry as he thinks fit to verify the correctness of the account submitted and may pass order for the disposal of the amount in the manner prescribed. 109[(4) The provisions of Chapter IV shall not apply to dharmada.] 55. (1) 110[If upon an application made to him or otherwise] the Charity Commissioner is of opinion that- (a) the original object for which the public trust was created has failed, (b) the income or any surplus balance of any public trust has not been utilized or is not likely to be utilized, (c) 111[in the case of a public trust other than a trust for a religious purpose, it is not in public interest] expedient, practicable, desirable, necessary or proper to carry out wholly or partially the original intention of the author of the public trust or the object for which the public trust was created and that the property or the income of the public trust or any portion thereof should be applied to any other charitable or religious object, (d) in any of the cases mentioned in sections 10 to 13 or in regard to the appropriation of the dharmada sums held in trust under section 54 the directions of the court are necessary, the Charity Commissioner shall 112[require the trustees to apply within the prescribed time for directions to the Court within the local limits IX of 1908. Suit against assignee for valu- able consideration not barred by time. Bequest under will for benefit of public trust. Dharmada. Cypres. 1950: Bom. XXIX] Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950 29 of 53 of whose jurisdiction the whole or part of the subject matter of the trust is situate.] (2) If the trustees fail to make the application as required under sub-section (1) or if the Charity Commissioner himself is trustee or if there is no trustee of the public trust, the Charity Commissioner shall make an application to the court. 56. (1) On such application being made, the court after hearing the parties and making an inquiry shall decide the matter and shall give directions. In giving the directions, the court shall, so far as may be expedient, practicable desirable 113[necessary or proper] in public interest, give effect to the original intention of the author of the public trust or the object for which the public trust was created. If the Court is of opinion that the carrying out of such intention or object is not wholly or partially expedient, practicable, desirable 113[necessary or proper] in public interest the court may direct the property or income of the public trust or any portion thereof to be applied cypres to any other charitable or religious object. In doing so, it shall be lawful for the court to alter any scheme already settled or to vary the terms of any decree or order already passed in respect of the public trust or the conditions contained in the instrument of the public trust. (2) Any decision or order passed by the court under sub-section (1) shall be deemed to be a decree of such court and an appeal shall lie therefrom to the High Court. 114[56A. (1) Save as hereinbefore provided in this Act, any trustee of a public trust may apply to the Court, within the local limits of whose jurisdiction the whole or part of the subject-matter of the trust is situate, for the opinion, advice or direction of the Court on any question affecting the management or, administration of the trust property or income thereof, and the Court shall give its opinion, advice, or direction, as the case may be, thereon: Provided that the Court shall not be bound to give such opinion, advice or direction on any question which it considers to be a question not proper for summary disposal. (2) The Court, on an application under sub-section (1), may give its opinion, advice or direction thereon after giving notice to the Charity Commissioner. The Court before giving any opinion, advice or direction shall afford a reasonable opportunity of being heard to all persons appearing in connection with the application. (3) A trustee stating in good faith the facts of any matter relating to the trust in an application under sub-section (1), and acting upon the opinion, advice or direction of the Court given thereon, shall be deemed, as far as his own responsibility is concerned, to have discharged his duty as such trustee in the matter in respect of which the application was made. (4) No appeal shall lie against any opinion, advice or direction given under this section. 56B. (1) In any suit or legal proceedings in which it appears to the Court that any question affecting a public religious or charitable purpose is involved, the Court shall not proceed to determine such question until after notice has been given to the Charity Commissioner. (2) If upon the receipt of such notice or otherwise the Charity Commissioner makes any application in that behalf, he shall be added as a party at any stage of such suit or proceedings. Court's power to hear application. Powers of trustee to apply for directions. Proceedings involving question affecting public charitable or religious purpose. [1950: Bom. XXIX Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950 (3) In this section "Court" shall mean any Civil Court of competent jurisdiction in the 115[State of Gujarat]. 116[CHAPTER VII-A. SPECIAL PROVISION AS RESPECTS RELIGIOUS AND CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS AND ENDOWMENTS WHICH VEST IN, OR THE MANAGEMENT OF WHICH VESTS IN, THE STATE GOVERNMENT. 56.C (1) The provisions of this Chapter shall apply to every temple, mosque or endowment created for a public religious or charitable purpose (hereinafter in this Chapter referred to as "the endowment"), Which vests in, or the management of which vests in, the State Government and which- (a) has been registered under the provisions of this Act as, or (b) is declared by the State Government by notification, in the Official Gazette, after such inquiry as it thinks fit, and after previous publication, to be a public trust. On such declaration such endowment shall be deemed to be a registered public trust for the purposes of this Act and the provisions of Chapter IV relating to the registration of public trusts, shall, as far as may be, apply to the making of entries in the register kept under section 17, provided that such entries shall also confirm to the provisions of this Chapter. The entries so made shall be final and conclusive. (2) The State Government shall, as soon as may be after the commencement of this Chapter, publish in the Official Gazette a list of such endowments as are registered as, or declared to be, public trusts; and the State Government may, by like notification and in like manner, add to or delete from such list any endowment entered therein. 56D. The State Government shall, from such date as it determines, and in the manner hereinafter provided, transfer the endowment, or the management thereof to a committee (hereinafter referred to as "committee") and thereupon such endowment together with all the immoveable or moveable property appertaining thereto, or as the case may be, management thereof, shall vest in the members of such committee; and the members of the committee shall be the trustees of such endowment within the meaning and for the purposes of this Act. 56E. (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in sections 47 and 50 for the purpose of vesting or transferring the management of the endowment under the provisions of this chapter, to a Committee, the State Government shall, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint (under such name as may be specified in the notification) one or more committees for each district. (2) The committee shall have power to acquire, hold and dispose of property, subject to such conditions and restrictions as may be prescribed, and may sue and be sued in the names of all the members of the committee. (3) A committee shall consist of not less than five and not more than seven members, and the members in the case of a religious endowment shall and in any other case may, be appointed from amongst persons professing the religion or belonging to the religious denomination (or any section thereof), for the purposes of which or for the benefit of whom the endowment was founded, or is being administered. The members shall be appointed, as far as possible, and in accordance so far as can be ascertained with the general wishes of those who are interested in the administration, of such endowment. 56F. (1) A member shall be appointed to a committee for a period of five years, but shall be eligible for re-appointment. Provisions of Chapter VII--A to apply to certain endowments. Vesting, or transfer of management, of certain endowments. Committees of management. Term of office of members of committee. 1950: Bom. XXIX] Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950 31 of 53 (2) A member may, by writing under his hand addressed to the State Government resign his membership of a committee: Provided that such resignation shall not take effect until the resignation has been accepted by the State Government, 56G. (1) A person shall be disqualified for appointment as, or for being, a member of a committee if he- (a) is a minor; (b) has been convicted by a criminal court of any offence involving moral turpitude; (c) is of unsound mind, and is so declared by a competent court; (d) is an undischarged insolvent; (e) has directly or indirectly interest in a lease or any other transaction relating to the property vesting in the committee; (f) is a paid servant of the committee or has any share or interest in a contract for the supply of goods to, or for the execution of any works, or the performance of any service, undertaken by the committee in respect of the endowment; (g) is found to be guilty of misconduct by the State Government; (h) in the case of a religious endowment ceases to profess the religion or to belong to the religious denomination for which the committee is appointed; or (i) is otherwise unfit. (2) If it appears to the State Government that a member has incurred any of the disqualifications aforesaid, the State Government may, after giving such member an opportunity of showing cause, and after considering any such cause shown, remove such person from membership and the decision of the State Government shall be final. (3) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, a member of the committee shall not be disqualified from being chosen as, and for being a member of, the 117[Gujarat Legislative Assembly] or any local authority by reason only of the fact that he is a member of such committee. 56H. The State Government may appoint a new member, when a member of a committee- (a) resigns or dies; (b) is for a continuous period of six months absent from India without leave of the Charity Commissioner; (c) leaves India for the purpose of residing abroad; (d) desires to be discharged; (e) refuses to act; or Disqualification of membership. Power of Government to appoint new member. [1950: Bom. XXIX Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950 (f) is removed by the State Government. 56I. (1) The State Government shall, from amongst the members of a committee, appoint a chairman and shall also appoint a treasurer. (2) 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 such fund and in such manner as may be prescribed. 56J. 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. 56K. 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. 56L. (1) The State Government may appoint a Secretary to the Committee. (2) The committee may appoint such officers (other than the Secretary) and servants as it thinks necessary for the efficient performance of the duties and functions of the committee under this Act: Provided that no officer or servant who is paid or is to be paid a salary of over one hundred rupees per mensem shall be appointed by a committee without the previous approval of the State Government. 56M. (1) 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. (2) The salary and allowances of the Secretary, officers and servants of a committee shall be paid out of such funds as may be prescribed. 56N. (1) Subject to the general and special orders of the State Government, it shall be the general duty of a committee to manage and administer the affairs of the endowment which vests in, or the management of which vests in it. It shall be the duty of a committee to so exercise the powers conferred and discharge the duties and functions imposed upon it, by or under this Act or under any instrument of trust, or a scheme, for the time being in force relating to such endowment as to ensure that such endowment is properly maintained, controlled and administered and the income thereof is duly applied to the object and purposes for which it was created, intended or to be administered. (2) In particular, but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provision, a committee shall- (a) maintain a record containing information relating to the origin income, object and the beneficiaries of every such endowment; (b) prepare a budget estimating its income and expenditure; (c) make regular payment of salaries and allowances and other sums payable to the Secretary, officers and servants of a committee from such fund as may be prescribed; Chairman and treasurer of committee. Meeting of and procedure for committee. Power of Committee to appoint sub- committees. Secretary and other, officers of committee. Terms and conditions of service of Secretary and other servants. General duties of committee. 1950: Bom. XXIX] Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950 33 of 53 (d) keep separate accounts for each such endowment; (e) ensure that the income and property of the endowment are applied to the objects and for the purposes for which such endowment was created, in tended or is to be administered; (f) take measures for the recovery of lost properties of any such endowment; (g) institute and defend any suits and proceedings in a court of law relating to such endowment; (h) supply such returns, statistics, accounts and other information with respect to such endowment as the State Government may from time to time require; (i) inspect, or cause the inspection of the properties of such endowment; and (j) generally do all such acts as may be necessary for the proper control, maintenance and administration of such endowment. 56O. No act or proceeding of a committee shall be invalid by reason only of the existence of any vacancy amongst its members, or any defect in the constitution thereof. 56P. The State Government may, from time to time, for the better management or administration of any endowment issue directions to a committee. 56Q. The Charity Commissioner may, with the previous sanction of the State Government, provide for the performance of any duty which a committee is bound to perform under the provisions of this Act, or the rules or directions made or given thereunder, and may direct that the expenses of the performance of such duty be paid by any person who may have from time to time the custody of any fund belonging to the committee. If such duty is in connection with any endowment the payment shall be made out of the funds belonging to the said endowment. 56R. (1) If the State Government is of opinion that a committee is unable to perform or has persistently made default in the performance of, the duties imposed upon it by or under this Act, or has exceeded or abused its powers, the State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette supersede the committee for such period as may be specified in the notification: Provided that, before issuing a notification under this sub-section, the State Government shall give a reasonable opportunity to the committee to show cause why it should not be superseded and consider the explanations and objections, if any, of the committee. (2) Upon the publication of a notification under sub-section (1) superseding a committee- (a) all the members of the committee shall, as from the date of supersession, vacate their offices as such members; (b) all the powers, duties and functions which may, by or under the provisions of this Act, be exercised or performed by or on behalf of the committee, shall, during the period of supersession, be exercised and performed by such person or persons as the State Government having regard to the provisions of sub-section (I) of section 56G may direct; and Act of committee not invalid by reason of vacancy or defect. Power of State Government to issue directions. Power of Charity Commissioner to require duties of committee to be performed and to direct expenses in respect thereof to be paid from fund of committee, etc. Power to supersede a committee. [1950: Bom. XXIX Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950 (c) all property vested in, or the management of which is vested in, the committee shall during the period of supersession vest in the State Government. (3) On the expiration of the period of supersession specified in the notifica- tion issued under sub-section (1), the State Government may- (a) extend the period of supersession for such further period as it may consider necessary, or (b) reconstitute the committee in the manner provided in section 56E. 56S. (1) The committee may, with the approval of the State Government make regulations not inconsistent with this Act or the rules made thereunder for carrying out its functions under this Act. (2) In particular, but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provision, such regulations may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:- (i) despatch of day-to-day proceedings and routine business of the committee under section 56J; (ii) the manner in which any person who is not a member of a committee, or sub-committee may be associated with such committee or sub-committee as the case may be, under section 56K; (iii) terms and conditions of service of the servants of a committee under section 56M. 56T. Except so far as is expressly provided in the provsions of this Chapter, nothing in sections 18, 19, 20, 21, 44, 45, 46, 47, 47A, 47B, 50, 118[50A], 59, 66 and 67 shall apply to the endowments to which this Chapter applies.] CHAPTER VIII. PUBLIC TRUSTS ADMINISTRATION FUND. 57. 119[(1) There shall be established a fund to be called the Public Trusts Administration Fund. The Fund shall vest in the Charity Commissioner.] (2) The following sums shall be credited, to the said Fund, namely: - (a) fees and administrative charges leviable under sections 18 and 48; (b) contributions made under section 58; (c) the amount from the funds or the portion thereof credited under section 61; (d) any sum received from a private person; (e) any sum allotted by the State Government or any local authority; and (f) any other sum which may be directed to be credited by or under the provisions of 120[this Act or the Inter-State Corporations Act, 1957] 121[or the Bombay Statutory Corporations Regional (Reorganisation) Act, 196