(1)Subject to the provisions of sub-section (2) the State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, establish a Committee consisting of the following [fifteen members] [Substituted 'twelve members' by Maharashtra Act No. 23 of 2018, dated 28.3.2018.], that is to say-(a)[fourteen members] [Substituted 'eleven members' by Maharashtra Act No. 23 of 2018, dated 28.3.2018.], [including the chairman and Co-Chairman] [Substituted 'including the Chairman' by Maharashtra Act No. 2 of 2018, dated 15.1.2018.], to be appointed by the State Government from amongst persons ordinarily residing in the State who are devotees of God Vitthal and Goddess Rukmini and who, prior to their appointment, make a declaration accordingly in the form determined by the State Government;[Provided that, the Co-Chairman shall perform such of the functions and discharge such of the duties of the chairman as may be prescribed;] [Added by Maharashtra Act No. 2 of 2018, dated 15.1.2018.](b)the President of the Pandharpur Municipal Council - ex-officio, if he is a devotee of God Vitthal and Goddess Rukmini and makes a declaration as aforesaid; and is not disqualified under any of the provisions of this Act; and if he is disqualified or does not make such declaration within the period specified by the State Government, then a member of such Council appointed by the State Government who is not so disqualified and who makes such declaration;Provided that, the disqualification under the proviso to sub-section (1) of section 23 shall not apply in relation to President.(2)Until the Committee is duly established under sub-section (1), the State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint a temporary Committee for the purposes of this Act consisting of two or more persons appointed by the State Government in this behalf; and one of them may be appointed as the Chairman thereof. Upon the establishment of the Committee under sub-section (1) the members constituting the temporary Committee shall vacate their office, and the temporary Committee shall cease to exercise any powers or duties under this Act and shall hand over all the property vested in it, and the management of the endowment and registered trusts to the Committee duly establishment under sub-section (1).(3)The Committee shall be a body corporate by the name of "Shri Vithal-Rukmini Temples Committee", and shall have perpetual succession and a common seal and shall have power to acquire, hold and dispose of property, and to enter into contracts, and may by the said name sue, or be sued, through its Executive Officer.
