Mumbai: The state on Tuesday approved four amendments and inclusion of two new sections in the Maharashtra Public Trusts Act, 1950. The new amendments made provisions for stricter punishment for violations of the Act.“The Maharashtra Public Trusts Act was made to regulate public, religious, and charitable trusts in the state and control their management. It was necessary to give a comprehensive definition to the term ‘trustee’ in this Act, and since the existing punishments in Sections 66A and 66B were found to be inadequate, there was no time limit in Section 70A for reconsideration against the order of the deputy or assistant charity commissioner, which increased the punishment provision. It has been included in these new amendments,” officials said.A comprehensive definition of the term “trustee” is being included in Section 2 (18) of the Act, and it has been provided that it will be taken into account to determine the identity of the types of trustees according to the period of appointment, said an official. After the amendment, now a copy of the trust institution is required while applying for registration. This will prevent false claims on any property as trust property.“Section 66A was ‘punishment with simple imprisonment’ for violation of the provisions of this Act. Instead, a provision has now been made for ‘punishment with any description of imprisonment’ and up to hard labour. Also, for compliance with the scheme under Section 41AA, the existing punishment in Section 66B will be amended to read as ‘one year or fine up to Rs 2 lakh or both’ instead of ‘three months or fine up to Rs 25,000 or both’,” officials said. “A specific time limit will also now be fixed for filing a revision application against the order of the deputy or assistant charity commissioner. The draft ordinance for amendments to the Act was approved in the cabinet meeting,” they added.A provision in Section 50 (b) pertaining to authority to file suits to recover trust property contradicted with some other provisions will be repealed, they added.
