Non-hereditary Trustees, their number and appointment

(1) The Assistant Commissioner shall, in case where there is no hereditary Trustee, with the prior approval of the State Government appoint non-hereditary Trustee in respect of each Religious institution other than Maths and specific endowments attached thereto and in making such appointments, the Assistant Commissioner shall have due regard to the claims of persons belonging to the Religious denomination for whose benefit the said institution is chiefly maintained. Provided that the Assistant Commissioner shall, before sending any proposal to the State Government for such prior approval, publish a notice in the Notice Board of the concerned Religious institution and intimate the general public of the locality by beat of drum, inviting suggestions and objections on the proposal from all persons affected, to be made within a period of thirty days from the date of such publication and forward to the State Government the suggestions and objections, if any received, alongwith such proposal. (1-a) On receipt of a proposal made under Sub-Section (1) for the appointment of a Non-hereditary Trustee, the State Government may either accord the required approval or reject or modify the proposal of the Assistant Commissioner as it may deem fit in the interest of the persons belonging to the Religious denomination for whose benefit, the concerned Religious institution is chiefly maintained. (2) A non-hereditary Trustee shall, unless he is sooner removed or dismissed or otherwise ceases to be a Trustee, hold Office for a period of two years from the date of his appointment : Provided that the Assistant Commissioner may, for sufficient reasons to be recorded by him, from time to time, extend the aforesaid term of a Trustee, so, however, that the total extension so granted shall in no case exceed six months in the aggregate. (3) Every non-hereditary Trustee holding Office immediately prior to the date of commencement of the Odisha Hindu Religious Endowments (Amendment) Act, 1978 shall cease to hold Office as such on the completion of a period of two years from the date of this appointment or on the expiration of three months from the date of commencement of the said Act, whichever is later.