Filling of vacancy in the office of Hereditary Priest, Trustee, Rawal or Priest

(1) When a permanent vacancy occurs in the office of the Hereditary Priest or a trustee, as the case may be, the next in the line of succession i.e. major descendent shall be entitled to succeed to the office and traditional rituals shall be followed in appointment of Rawal. (2) The Rawal and Naib Rawal of Shri Badrinath and Shri Kedarnath Temple shall be appointed in accordance of prevalent customs. (3) When temporary vacancy occurs in such office by reason of suspension or removal of hereditary priest or trustee etc. as the case may be, or by reason of his/her ceasing to hold office under the provisions of Sections 30, the next to the line of succession shall be appointed by the CEO or Devasthanam Board to discharge the functions of the trustee or priest or as the case may be until his/her disability ceases: Provided if such appointee is minor he/she shall perform his/her functions and duties under the supervision of such officer as the CEO may depute in this behalf. (4) When a permanent or temporary vacancy occurs in such an office and there is a dispute relating to the right of succession to the office or when such vacancy cannot be filled up immediately or when there is a dispute relating to the person who is entitled to act as such, the CEO may appoint a person engaged in activities related to worship in the same Devasthanam ,as he may deem fit, to discharge the functions of the Priest or Trustee as the case may be until the disability of the trustee or Priest etc ceases or another hereditary Priest or trustee holds the office for such shorter term as the CEO may direct. Explanation — In any appointment under this sub-section, the CEO shall consider the claims of the succession of the family members of the priest