KOLHAPUR: Paschim Maharashtra Devasthan Samiti (PMDS) on Monday claimed that the authority of the priests working at present to perform rituals at Mahalaxmi Temple will come to an end after the state government issues notification regarding rules to implement the law on appointment of salaried priests.PMDS, the managing body of the temple, on Sunday floated an advertisement to recruit priests. PMDS officials confirmed that the recruitment will be on temporary basis, till a new body as per the law is formed. The state legal department has given the green signal to appoint priests on temporary basis.An official attached to the PMDS requesting anonymity said, "The February 2 letter of the legal department states that the appointments will be temporary till a new body which will set the terms and conditions is formed. Till then, traditional priests will continue to perform rituals. However, their authority will cease once the government issues the notification. The law has received the consent of Governor , however the notification for implementation has not yet been issued."The activists associated with Pujari Hatao Sangharsh Samiti had claimed that process initiated by PMDS is illegal. They said a similar process was carried out in June last year when around 50 priests were interviewed. However, PMDS officials say last time the process was carried out without issuing an open advertisement. This time, the public advertisement has been issued and the process is legal and transparent.Activists say as per the law passed in the state legislature, a body of trustees will have to be appointed which will then set up a panel for selection of priests. Chairman of PMDS Mahesh Jadhav slammed activists stating that the tendency of opposition will derail the process and the demand of worshippers to appoint salaried priests will not be fulfilled.

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