the goan I network
VALPOI
The tenure of the ad hoc committee at the Ajoba Kelbai Devasthan in Keri-Sattari will be extended till the new election committee is constituted in February 2019.
This was decided that the recent annual general body meeting of all Mahajans, which also discussed ways to restart rituals at the Devasthan which has been stopped since the last 11 years.
The AGM was chaired by ad hoc committee president Rajaram Majik and attended by other committee members and Mahajans.
According to sources, rituals at the Devasthan has been stopped since 2007 because of differences between the Mahajans regarding the right to conduct the rituals.
Following disputes between the Mahajans over the rituals and the law and order problems, the government has locked the Devasthan since 2007.
Since the last three years, the government appointed an ad hoc committee under the leadership of Rajaram Majik to frame bye laws of the Devasthan and to conduct elections as per procedures.
During the AGM, the Mahajans passed a resolution to extend the ad hoc committee’s tenure till elections are conducted to appoint a new committee for the devasthan.
Addressing the meeting, Majik said the election procedures are underway and elections to the new committee at the Devasthan will be conducted in February 2019.
A number of Mahajans demanded the reopening of the Devasthan with religious rituals, but Majik said a report would be submitted to the Sattari Mamlatdar regarding the AGM minutes and a decision would be taken by authorities concerned.
Later speaking to reporters, Majik said the AGM was conducted as per directions of the Sattari Taluka Mamlatdar, who is also administrator at the Devasthan.
“A report will be submitted to him regarding discussions at the AGM and elections will be conducted to appoint a new committee for the Devasthan. The bye laws were recently framed to undertake elections while the voters list has also been published,” said Majik.
Other committee members present at the meeting included Rajendra Gawas, Lakshman Majik, Sahib Rane, Mahadev Gawas, Adv Bhikaji Gawas and Krishna Gawas.
