Removal of Trustees, Priests, etc

(1) The CEO may suspend, remove or dismiss the trustees, or a priest etc of any Char Dham Devasthanams covered under the Act on the following grounds:- (a) Persistent default in the submission of budgets, account reports and returns to the Board or CEO or any other officer authorised in this behalf. (b) Wilful disobedience of any direction or order issued, under the provisions of this Act or Rules made there under by the CEO or the Board or the Government, as the case may be. (c) Any malfeasance or misfeasance, breach of trust, or neglect of duty, misappropriation and fraudulent act, dishonest act in respect of religious institutions, temples, or alienation of any property in contravention of this Act or rule made there under. (d) Any Priest, Trustee etc found under the influence of intoxication of liquor or narcotic drugs or psychotropic substance in or around the temple, and (e) For unsoundness of mind or other mental or physical defects or infirmity, communicable disease which renders him/her unfit for discharging the functions of a trustee or a priest etc. Provided that no Trustee or Priest etc as the case may be, shall be removed or dismissed by the CEO under this section, unless he/she has been given reasonable opportunity of being heard. (2) Any priest or trustee etc, whether hereditary or non-hereditary,, who is suspended, removed or dismissed by the CEO under sub-section (1) may within thirty days from the date of receipt or communication of the order of suspension, removal or dismissal, file an appeal to such authority and in the manner as may be prescribed by the Board. (3) A hereditary priest or trustee so suspended, removed or dismissed may be allowed such maintenances as may be fixed by the CEO considering the financial condition of the person and institution.