Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
PRESENT
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ANIL K. NARENDRAN & THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE HARISANKAR V. MENON
FRIDAY, THE 12TH DAY OF APRIL 2024 / 23RD CHAITHRA, 1946
DBP NO. 121 OF 2023 TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD - REPORT NO. 48/2023 IN PETITION NO. 8/2023 - APPROVAL OF ESTIMATE AND AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR THE WORK DUE TO THE DEVASTATING FIRE THAT OCCURRED TO THE TEMPLE STRUCTURE ATTACHED TO KALARKODE DEVASWOM IN AMBALAPPUZHA - VALIYAMBALAM AND THIDAPPALLY PETITIONERS:
1 TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD - TDB REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETRAY 2 THE EXECUTIVE ENGINEER TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD, MAVELIKKARA
BY ADVS.
G.BIJU G, SC, TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD RESPONDENT:
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR LOCAL FUND AUDIT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
BY ADVS.
ADVOCATE GENERAL OFFICE KERALA GOVERNMENT PLEADER(GP-1) OTHER PRESENT:
SRI G.BIJU - STANDING COUNSEL- TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD
SRI S.RAJMOHAN - SR GOVERNMENT PLEADER THIS DEVASWOM BOARD PETITION HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 12.04.2024, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:
2 DBP No.121 of 2023 ORDER Anil K. Narendran, J.
This DBP is registered based on Report No.48 of 2023 of the learned Ombudsman in Petition No.8 of 2023 filed by the Travancore Devaswom Board, represented by its Secretary and the Executive Engineer, Travancore Devaswom Board, Mavelikkara, seeking contract sanction regarding the maintenance work due to a devastating fire occurred on 01.05.2022 causing damages to the temple structures of Kalarkode Devaswom in Ambalappuzha Group. Kalarkode Sree Mahadeva Temple is a temple under the management of the Travancore Devaswom Board. Based on Board order ROC No.6428/21/M dated 21.06.2023 the 2nd respondent Executive Engineer submitted an estimate report for an amount of Rs.40,38,000/- based on DSR 2018. The Chief Engineer, Travancore Devaswom Board granted technical sanction vide order TS No.72/2023-24 dated 06.07.2023 for an amount of Rs.40,38,000/-. Based on that technical sanction the Board, vide Board order ROC 6428/21/M dated 21.06.2023 accorded administrative sanction to the above work at an estimated cost of Rs.40,38,000/- including 18% GST, subject to the approval of this Court. The Board has also accorded sanction to the above work being awarded on contract in favour of
3 DBP No.121 of 2023 Sri.Samkumar, the nominee of the Temple Advisory Committee, at 25% below the sanctioned estimate rate. The award of contract in favour of Sri.Samkumar was made based on a request dated 03.01.2023 made by the Temple Advisory Committee of Kalarkode Sree Mahadeva Temple. As per that request, which is one made in the letterhead of the Temple Advisory Committee, one Renunath G. is the President and Samkumar is the Secretary of the Temple Advisory Committee. The said Samkumar has also submitted a consent letter dated 24.04.2023, to the Assistant Engineer, Travancore Devaswom Board, Ambalappuzha, wherein he has agreed to undertake the contract work 25% below the estimate rate, under the directions of the Department officials, i.e., officials in the Maramath wing of the Travancore Devaswom Board. The aforesaid request dated 03.01.2023 and consent letter dated 24.04.2023 are marked as Annexures I and II in the Maramath Petition. The Administrative sanction granted by the Travancore Devaswom Board, the technical sanction granted by the Chief Engineer and the estimate report of the Executive Engineer, Mavelikkara are marked as Annexures III to V in the Maramath Petition. In the Petition, it is stated that, since the estimate amount is above Rs.20 Lakhs, a petition has to be filed before this Court for sanction as per the earlier orders of this Court.
4 DBP No.121 of 2023
2.
On 17.11.2023, when this DBP came up for consideration, the learned Standing Counsel for Travancore Devaswom Board sought adjournment. On 23.11.2023, the learned Senior Government Pleader submitted that the remarks of the respondent Deputy Director, in the form of an affidavit shall be placed on record within two weeks. By the order dated 26.02.2024, the learned Standing Counsel for Travancore Devaswom Board was directed to place on record a copy of the agreement that is being executed with the Temple Advisory Committee for executing development works in the temple under the management of the Board, under the supervision of its Maramath wing. Along with a memo dated 01.03.2024, the learned Standing Counsel has placed on record the format of the agreement to be executed with the Temple Advisory Committee for executing development works in temples, under the supervision of the concerned Assistant Engineer in the Maramath wing of the Board.
3.
The respondent has sworn to an affidavit dated 12.03.2024, wherein it is stated that as of now only special audits are conducted by the Kerala State Audit Department, Travancore Devaswom Board Audit, on the accounts of the Temple Advisory Committees, as directed by this Court, if there are allegations of
5 DBP No.121 of 2023 embezzlement against the Advisory Committees in matters pending before this Court. Hence there is a little chance for the State Audit Department to audit the expenditure regarding the contract works undertaken by the Temple Advisory Committees, on a regular basis. In Temple Advisory Committees, except the Sub Group Officer/Administrative Officer of the concerned Devaswom, all other members are elected from the devotees. As per the bye-laws framed under sub-section (3) of Section 31A of the Travancore-Cochin Hindu Religious Institutions Act, 1950, the Secretary of the Temple Advisory Committee has to maintain records and submit annual accounts of the Advisory Committee.
Since the Board has entrusted the contract work for an estimate amount of Rs.35,00,000/- to the Temple Advisory Committee, the Board may be directed to furnish the following details/documents;
“i. As per TAC, Bye-law Clause 11, the tenure of TAC is 2 years. The Board can extend the tenure of TACs for a maximum of two more years on account of developmental activities or unavoidable circumstances. Hence the Board may kindly be directed to submit the date of constitution of present TAC, Kalarkode.
ii. As per TAC Bye-law Clause 9.3 the audited annual accounts of the TAC shall be presented by the Secretary to the Board before 30th April every year. It may kindly be directed the TDB to submit whether the current TAC
6 DBP No.121 of 2023 produced the annual accounts as per the Bye-law if the annual account is due.
iii. The Board order (ROC.6428/21/M dt.14.08.2023) stated that the work should be executed in accordance with the plan prepared by the 'Sthapathi' from approved panel of Travancore Devaswom Board and as per the direction of Thantri. The Board may kindly be directed to state whether such plan has been prepared and obtained the aforesaid approval.
iv. As per the petition submitted by Board, the total estimate of work is Rs.40,38,000/-. But the cost of estimate mentioned in the Board order (ROC.6428/21/M dt.
14.08.2023) entrusted the work to TAC is Rs.35,09,500. In this context the Board may kindly be directed whether a revised estimate of Rs.35,09,500/- been prepared and got technical sanction.
v. The name of contractor (TAC nominee) as per the Petition (08 of 2023) submitted by Board is one Samkumar. The Board may kindly be directed to state whether the same person been entrusted the work executed directly by TAC.
As per the original petition submitted by Board Sri.Samkumar had agreed to do the work @25% below the sanctioned estimate of Rs.40,38,000/-. But now the estimate of work is seen reduced to Rs.35,09,500/-. So it is desirable to seek the new contract rate for the revised estimate is prepared.” Besides this, the opinion of the Board may be sought for regarding the transferring of the amount collected by the Temple Advisory Committee, which is credited in the account of the Advisory Committee, to the Devaswom fund temporarily and adopting the
7 DBP No.121 of 2023 method of issuing payment cheque to the contractor from the Devaswom fund on the basis of payment bill prepared by the Maramath Wing of the Board. If this procedure is adopted, the supervision of the Maramath Wing shall be more effective and work files can be kept in the Maramath Wing, which can be subjected to regular audit, annually.
4.
On 15.03.2024, when this matter came up for consideration, the learned Standing Counsel for Travancore Devaswom Board sought time to get instructions on the affidavit sworn to by the respondent. Thereafter, the Secretary of the Travancore Devaswom Board has sworn to an affidavit dated 09.04.2024, wherein it is stated that the term of the present Temple Advisory Committee expires on 12.10.2024, which has agreed to complete the work within six months from the date of execution of the agreement. The present Advisory Committee conducted the annual festival of the temple for the year 2022 and 2023 and also Mandala Maholsavam, Sivarathri, Laksharchana, etc., and submitted the audited accounts, which will be audited during the regular audit of the Devaswom. The Committee undertook the work of Pradakshina Vazhi at an estimated cost of Rs.14,86,500/-, for which sealed coupons are issued in the first phase for Rs.5,94,600/- and after exhausting the said amount and
8 DBP No.121 of 2023 submitting accounts, sealed coupons for Rs.5,94,600/- was issued in the second phase. The said work is in progress. The Committee expressed its willingness to undertake the restoration work of Valiyambalam and Thidappally through collection of funds through sealed coupons and the estimate of the work is Rs.40,38,000/-.
Since the Board has decided to permit the Committee to undertake and execute the work through collection of funds against sealed coupons the contractor’s profit and overhead charges (15%) are deducted from the sanctioned estimate and sealed coupons will be issued in a phased manner, according to the progress of the work for an amount of Rs.35,09,500/-. The work will be executed under the direct supervision of the officials in the Maramath wing of the Board. In the affidavit it is stated that, sealed coupons will be issued to the Committee in a phased manner, according to the progress of the work and submission of accounts. The audited statement of accounts submitted by the Committee, after the completion of the work, will be subjected to audit. Instead of effecting payment to the contractor directly from the Devaswom funds, the coupons are issued only in a phased manner, according to the progress of the work certified by the Engineer. The estimate of the work is prepared by the Maramath wing of the Board in terms of the measurements and plan approved by ‘Sthapathi’
9 DBP No.121 of 2023 included in the panel of the Board. In the affidavit it is stated that, the Board will not suffer any financial commitment for the above work.
5.
Heard the learned Standing Counsel for Travancore Devaswom Board for the petitioners, the learned Senior Government Pleader for the respondent and the learned Amicus Curiae for the learned Ombudsman.
6.
Travancore-Cochin Hindu Religious Institutions Act, 1950 enacted by the State Legislature makes provision for the administration, supervision and control of incorporated and unincorporated Devaswoms and of other Hindu Religious Endowments and Funds. Kalarkode Sree Mahadeva Temple, under Kalarkode Devaswom is a temple under the management of the Travancore Devaswom Board, Ambalappuzha Group.
7.
Section 15A of the Act, inserted by Act 5 of 2007, with effect from 12.04.2007, deals with duties of the Board. As per Section 15A, it shall be the duty of the Board to perform the following functions, namely, (i) to see that the regular traditional rites and ceremonies according to the practice prevalent in the religious institutions are performed promptly; (ii) to monitor whether the administrative officials and employees and also the employees connected with religious rites are functioning properly;
10 DBP No.121 of 2023 (iii) to ensure proper maintenance and upliftment of the Hindu religious institutions; (iv) to establish and maintain proper facilities in the temples for the devotees.
8.
Section 24 of the Act deals with maintenance of Devaswoms, etc., out of Devaswom Fund. As per Section 24, the Board shall, out of the Devaswom Fund constituted under Section 25, maintain the Devaswoms mentioned in Schedule I [i.e.
incorporated Devaswoms], keep in a state of good repair the temples, buildings, and other appurtenances thereto, administer the said Devaswoms in accordance with recognised usages, make contributions to other Devaswoms in or outside the State and meet the expenditure for the customary religious ceremonies and may provide for the educational upliftment, social and cultural advancement and economic betterment of the Hindu community.
9.
Section 27 of the Act deals with Devaswom properties.
As per Section 27, immovable properties entered or classed in the revenue records as Devaswom Vaga or Devaswom Poramboke and such other Pandaravaga lands as are in the possession or enjoyment of the Devaswoms mentioned in Schedule I after the 30th Meenam, 1097 corresponding to the 12th April, 1922, shall be dealt with as Devaswom properties. The provisions of the Land
11 DBP No.121 of 2023 Conservancy Act of 1091 (IV of 1091) shall be applicable to Devaswom lands as in the case of Government lands.
10. Section 31 of the Act deals with management of Devaswoms. As per Section 31, subject to the provisions of Part I and the rules made thereunder, the Board shall manage the properties and affairs of the Devaswoms, both incorporated and unincorporated as heretofore, and arrange for the conduct of the daily worship and ceremonies and of the festivals in every temple according to its usage.
11. In Ram Mohan Das v. Travancore Devaswom Board and others [1975 KLT 55] a learned Single Judge of this Court held that, under Section 31 of the Travancore-Cochin Hindu Religious Institutions Act the Travancore Devaswom Board shall manage the properties and affairs of the Devaswoms, both incorporated and unincorporated and arrange for the conduct of the daily worship and ceremonies and of the festivals in every temple according to its usage. The position of the Board in regard to the Devaswoms - incorporated and unincorporated - is analogous to that of trustees. Any improper act of the Trustees could be questioned by a worshipper.
12. In M.V. Ramasubbiar v. Manicka Narasimachara [(1979) 2 SCC 65], in the context of Sections 49, 51 and 52 of
12 DBP No.121 of 2023 the Trusts Act, 1882, the Apex Court explained the nature of the fiduciary position of the trustee and his duties and obligations. It is duty of the trustees of the property to be faithful to the Trust and execute any document with reasonable diligence in the manner of an ordinary prudent man of business would conduct his own affairs. A trustee could not therefore occasion any loss to the Trust and it is his duty to sell the property, if at all that was necessary, to best advantage. Paragraph 4 of that decision reads thus;
“4. There is some controversy on the question whether Defendant 1 made an outright purchase of the suit property for and on behalf of the trust for Rs 21,500 on April 19, 1959, or whether he intended to purchase it for himself and then decided to pass it on to the trust, for defendants have led their evidence to show that the property was allowed to be sold for Rs 21,500, which was less than its market value, as it was meant for use by the trust and that Defendant 1 was not acting honestly when he palmed off the property to his son soon after by the aforesaid sale deed Ext.B13 dated July 14, 1960. The fact, however, remains that Defendant 1 was the trustee of the property, and it was his duty to be faithful to the trust and to execute it with reasonable diligence in the manner an ordinary prudent man of business would conduct his own affairs. He could not therefore occasion any loss to the trust and it was his duty to sell the property, if at all that was necessary, to best advantage. It has in fact been well recognised as an inflexible rule that a person in a fiduciary position like a trustee is not entitled to make a profit for himself or a member of his family. It can also not be gainsaid that he is not allowed to put himself in any such position in which
13 DBP No.121 of 2023 a conflict may arise between his duty and personal interest, and so the control of the trustee's discretionary power prescribed by Section 49 of the Act and the prohibition contained in Section 51 that the trustee may not use or deal with the trust property for his own profit or for any other purpose unconnected with the trust, and the equally important prohibition in Section 52 that the trustee may not, directly or indirectly, buy the trust property on his own account or as an agent for a third person, cast a heavy responsibility upon him in the matter of discharge of his duties as the trustee. It does not require much argument to proceed to the inevitable further conclusion that the Rule prescribed by the aforesaid sections of the Act cannot be evaded by making a sale in the name of the trustee's partner or son, for that would, in fact and substance, indirectly benefit the trustee. Where therefore a trustee makes the sale of a property belonging to the trust, without any compelling reason, in favour of his son, without obtaining the permission of the court concerned, it is the duty of the court, in which the sale is challenged, to examine whether the trustee has acted reasonably and in good faith or whether he has committed a breach of the trust by benefitting himself from the transaction in an indirect manner. The sale in question has therefore to be viewed with suspicion and the High Court committed an error of law in ignoring this important aspect of the law although it had a direct bearing on the controversy before it.” (underline supplied) 13.
In A.A. Gopalakrishnan v. Cochin Devaswom Board [(2007) 7 SCC 482] a Three-Judge Bench of the Apex Court held that the properties of deities, temples and Devaswom Boards are required to be protected and safeguarded by their trustees/archakas/shebaits/employees.
Instances are many where persons entrusted with the duty of managing and
14 DBP No.121 of 2023 safeguarding the properties of temples, deities and Devaswom Boards have usurped and misappropriated such properties by setting up false claims of ownership or tenancy, or adverse possession. This is possible only with the passive or active collusion of the authorities concerned. Such acts of ‘fence eating the crops’ should be dealt with sternly. The Government, members or trustees of boards/trusts, and devotees should be vigilant to prevent any such usurpation or encroachment. It is also the duty of courts to protect and safeguard the properties of religious and charitable institutions from wrongful claims or misappropriation.
14. In Travancore Devaswom Board v. Mohanan Nair [(2013 (3) KLT 132] a Division Bench of this Court noticed that in A.A. Gopalakrishnan [(2007) 7 SCC 482] the Apex Court emphasised that it is the duty of the courts to protect and safeguard the interest and properties of the religious and charitable institutions. The relevant principles under the Hindu law will show that the Deity is always treated similar to that of a minor and there are some points of similarity between a minor and a Hindu idol. The High Court therefore is the guardian of the Deity and apart from the jurisdiction under Section 103 of the Land Reforms Act, 1957 viz. the powers of revision, the High Court is having inherent jurisdiction and the doctrine of parens patriae will
15 DBP No.121 of 2023 also apply in exercising the jurisdiction. Therefore, when a complaint has been raised by the Temple Advisory Committee, which was formed by the devotees of the Temple, about the loss of properties of the Temple itself, the truth of the same can be gone into by the High Court in these proceedings.
15.
In Suo Motu v. State of Kerala and others [2022 (2) KHC 411], in the context of Sabarimala Devaswom, which is an incorporated Devaswom mentioned in Schedule I of the Act, under Chengannur Group, this Court held that, in view of the provisions under the Act and also the law laid down in the decisions referred to supra, the Travancore Devaswom Board is duty bound to ensure proper administration, supervision and control of Sabarimala Devaswom,. The Board has a statutory duty to monitor whether its administrative officials and employees and also the employees connected with religious rites are functioning properly. The Board is duty bound to exercise proper supervision and control over the acts and proceedings of all officers and servants and to manage the properties and affairs of Sabarimala Devaswom and conduct daily worships and ceremonies and also festivals in the temple according to its usage. Position of the Board in this regard is analogous to that of trustees, as held by this Court in Ram Mohan Das [1975 KLT 55]. Any improper act of the
16 DBP No.121 of 2023 trustees could be questioned by a worshiper. The Board and those entrusted with the duty of managing the properties and affairs of Sabarimala Devaswom are duty bound to protect the properties of the deity from any wrongful claims, theft or misappropriation. Any such wrongful claims, theft or misappropriation with the passive or active collusion of the authorities concerned, which are acts of 'fence eating the crops' should be dealt with sternly. Since the deity being a perpetual minor, this Court is having inherent jurisdiction to protect and safeguard the interest and properties of the deity and the doctrine of parens patriae will also apply in the exercise of such jurisdiction.
16.
Section 31A of the Travancore-Cochin Hindu Religious Institutions Act deals with the formation of Temple Advisory Committees. As per sub-section (1) of Section 31A, a Committee for each temple, in the name “Temple Advisory Committee” (name of the temple), may be constituted in order to ensure the participation of Hindu devotees. As per sub-section (2) of Section 31A, the Temple Advisory Committee constituted under sub- section (1) may be approved by the Board. As per sub-section (3) of Section 31A, the composition of an Advisory Committee under sub-section (1) shall be in such manner as may be prescribed by rules made by the Board, not inconsistent with any practice,
17 DBP No.121 of 2023 prevailing, if any.
17.
In the exercise of the powers under sub-section (3) of Section 31A of the Act, the Travancore Devaswom Board framed Rules (Bye-laws) for the formation of Temple Advisory Committees in the temples under its management, which has been approved by this Court, by the order dated 03.11.2011 in DBA No.153 of 2009.
18.
Clause (2) of the Rules, which deals with the objectives of the Temple Advisory Committees, reads thus;
“2. ഉദ്ദേശ്യ ലക്ഷ്യങ്ങൾ ദ്ദക്ഷ്ത്രത്തിന്ദ്ദേയ ും, വിശ്വാസികളുടെയ ും പ ദ്ദ ാഗരിക്ക ദ്ദവണ്ടി ത്പവർത്തിക്ക ക, ദ്ദക്ഷ്ത്രാചാ ങ്ങളുും പൂജാത്കമങ്ങളുും ശ്ാസ്തത്ര വിധിത്പകാ ും നെത്ത ന്നരിന് സഹായക മായ നിലപാെ കൾ സവീക ിക്ക ക.
ദ്ദക്ഷ്ത്രത്തിന്ടേ ത്പശ്സ്തരിക്ക ും അഭിവൃദ്ധിക്ക ും, പ ദ്ദ ാഗരിക്ക ും ദ്ദവണ്ടി പദ്ധരികൾ ആവിഷ്ക്ക്ക ിക്ക കയ ും ദ്ദ ാർഡിൽ സമർപ്പിക്ക കയ ും ദ്ദ ാർഡിന്ടേ അന വാദദ്ദത്താെ കൂെി ത്പാദ്ദയാഗിക മാക്ക കയ ും ടചയ്യുക.
ദ്ദക്ഷ്ത്ര ഉത്സവും, ചിേപ്പ്, ആട്ടവിദ്ദശ്ഷും, മാസവിദ്ദശ്ഷും മ രലായ വിദ്ദശ്ഷാൽ അെിയന്തി ങ്ങൾ ഡിപ്പാർട്ടുടമന്് ഉദ്ദദയാഗസ്ഥ ടെ അന മരി വാങ്ങി ഭുംഗിയായ ും ചിട്ടയായ ും നെത്ത ക, ദ്ദക്ഷ്ത്ര ദർശ്നത്തിടനത്ത ന്ന ഭക്ത ജനങ്ങൾക്ക് ദ്ദവണ്ട സൗക യങ്ങൾ ഒ ക്ക ന്നരിന് ദ്ദക്ഷ്ത്ര അധികാ ികടള സഹായിക്ക ക, മന ഷയനന്മയ്ക്ക്ക് ഉരക ന്നര ത്തിൽ സനാരനധർമ്മങ്ങൾ ത്പച ിപ്പിക്ക ക. ധയാനദ്ദയാഗങ്ങൾ, നാമജപും, വിദ്ദശ്ഷാൽ പൂജകൾ, ഭക്തിത്പഭാഷണങ്ങൾ ര െങ്ങിയവ ഡിപ്പാർട്ടുടമന്് അന മരിദ്ദയാടെ സുംഘെിപ്പിക്ക ക, ഭക്തജനങ്ങൾക്ക് അന്നദാനും ര െങ്ങിയ ദ്ദസവനും നെത്ത കയ ും അരിന് ത്പാദ്ദചാദനും നല്ക കയ ും ടചയ്യുക, ദ്ദക്ഷ്ത്രവ ും പ ിസ വ ും ശ് ചിയായി സൂക്ഷ്ിക്ക ന്നരിന് ദ്ദവണ്ട നെപെികൾ സവീക ിക്ക ക, മഹാന്മാ ായ ദ്ദക്ഷ്ത്രവിശ്വാസികദ്ദളയ ും ദ്ദക്ഷ്ത്രകലാകാ ന്മാട യ ും ആദ ിക്ക ക, ദ്ദക്ഷ്ത്രസും ന്ധമായ ത്പവർത്തനങ്ങളുും, ഉത്സവാദി അെിയന്തി ങ്ങളുും സ ഗമമാക്ക ന്നരിന് ഡിപ്പാർട്ടുടമന്് അന മരിദ്ദയാടെ മാത്രും
18 DBP No.121 of 2023 സുംഭാവനകൾ, ഇഷ്ടദാനും എന്നിവ ഭക്തജനങ്ങളിൽ നിന്ന ും സമാഹ ിക്ക ക.” (underline supplied)
19. As per Clause (2) of the Rules the Temple Advisory Committee has to render necessary assistance to the Travancore Devaswom Board and its officials for the smooth functioning of the temple activities, the conduct of daily worship, ceremonies and festivals according to the usage. The Advisory Committee has to formulate schemes for the betterment and development of the temple, submit the same before the Board and execute it with the approval of the Board. The Advisory Committee shall collect donations from the devotees for the smooth conduct of temple activities and festivals only with the permission of the Department.
20. Clause (3) of the Rules, which deals with membership, reads thus;
“3. അുംഗരവും 3.1. ദ്ദക്ഷ്ത്രാചാ ങ്ങളില ും വിത്ഗഹാ ാധനയില ും വിശ്ാസമ ള്ള രാടെ സൂചിപ്പിക്ക ന്ന വിഭാഗങ്ങളിൽടപ്പട്ട ത്പായപൂർത്തിയായ ഏടരാ ഹിന്ദ വിന ും അുംഗരവത്തിന് അർഹര ഉണ്ടായി ിക്ക ന്നരാണ്.
(i) ദ്ദക്ഷ്ത്രപ ിസ ത്ത് അഞ്ച് കിദ്ദലാമീറ്റൽ ച റ്റളവിന ള്ളിൽ രാമസിക്ക ന്ന ഭക്തജനങ്ങൾ.
(ii) ദ്ദക്ഷ്രപാ മ്പ യമായി ന്ധടപ്പട്ട ക കളിദ്ദലാ ത്പദ്ദദശ്ങ്ങളിദ്ദലാ രാമസിക്ക ന്ന ഭക്തജനങ്ങൾ.
(iii) സ്ഥി മായി ദ്ദക്ഷ്ത്രസന്ദർശ്നും നെത്ത ന്നവ ും ദ്ദക്ഷ്ത്രത്തിന്ടേയ ും വിശ്വാസികളുദ്ദെയ ും പ ദ്ദ ാഗരിയ്ക്ക്ക ദ്ദവണ്ടി എെ ത്ത പേയത്തക്ക സുംഭാവനകൾ ടചയ്ക്രിട്ടുള്ളവ മായ ഭക്തജനങ്ങൾ.
(iv) ദ്ദക്ഷ്ത്രപ ിസ ത്ത് ജനിച്ചുവളർന്നവ ും, ദ്ദക്ഷ്ത്രത്തിന്ടേ വികസനത്തില ും ആദ്ദഘാഷങ്ങളില ും പങ്കാളികളാവ ന്നവ ും എന്നാൽ ജീവിദ്ദരാപാധിക്കായി മാേി രാമസിദ്ദക്കണ്ടിവ ന്നവ മായ
19 DBP No.121 of 2023 ഭക്തജനങ്ങൾ.
3.2.
സവാഭാവദൂഷയങ്ങൾദ്ദക്കാ ദ പദ്ദയാഗങ്ങൾദ്ദക്കാ സാമ്പത്തിക ത്കമദ്ദക്കെ കൾദ്ദക്കാ ശ്ിക്ഷ്ിക്കടപ്പട്ടി ട്ടുള്ളവർക്ക ും ദ്ദക്ഷ്ദ്ദത്രാപദ്ദദശ്കസമിരികളിൽ ത്പവർത്തിച്ച് നിയമ ഹിരമായ ത്പവർത്തനങ്ങളിൽ ഏർടപ്പട്ടവർക്ക ും, ദ്ധിമാന്ദയമ ള്ളവർക്ക ും അുംഗരവത്തിന് അർഹര ഉണ്ടായി ിക്ക ന്നരലല.
3.3.
രി വിരാുംകൂർ ദ്ദദവസവും ദ്ദ ാർഡ് നിഷ്ക്കർഷിച്ചിട്ടുള്ള ദ്ദ ാേത്തിൽ 100/- ( ൂപ നൂ് മാത്രും) ത്പദ്ദവശ്ന ീദ്ദസാടൊപ്പും അുംഗരവത്തിന് അദ്ദപക്ഷ് ഭക്തജനങ്ങളിൽ നിന്ന ും സബ്ഗത്ഗൂപ്പ് ഓ ീസർ/ അഡ്മിനിസ്തദ്ദത്െറ്റീവ് ഓ ീസർ സവീക ിദ്ദക്കണ്ടരാണ്.
അദ്ദപക്ഷ് പ ിദ്ദശ്ാധിച്ച് അുംഗരവും നൽക ന്നരിന് അർഹര ഉടണ്ടന്ന് ദ്ദ ാധയടപ്പട്ടാൽ സബ്ഗത്ഗൂപ്പ് ഓ ീസർ/അഡ്മിനിസ്തദ്ദത്െറ്റീവ് ഓ ീസർ സാക്ഷ്യടപ്പെ ത്തിയ അുംഗരവകാർഡ് അവർക്ക് നൽദ്ദകണ്ടര മാണ്.
3.4.
അുംഗരവും നൽക ന്നരിന് 3.1.
ൽ നിഷ്ക്ക്കർഷിച്ചിട്ടുള്ള 4 വിഭാഗത്തിൽടപ്പട്ടവ ിൽ, എഞ്ചിനീയർമാർ, ആർക്കിടെക്ട്, ചാർദ്ദട്ടഡ് അക്കൗണ്ടന്്, വക്കീലന്മാർ, ഉയർന്ന ഉദ്ദദയാഗങ്ങളിലി ന്ന് വി മിച്ചവർ ര െങ്ങിയവട സബ്ഗത്ഗൂപ്പ് ഓ ീസർമാർ ദ്ദന ിട്ട് കാണ കയ ും ത്പരിവികസന കാ യങ്ങളിൽ അവർക്ക് രാത്പ യമ ടണ്ടന്ന് കണ്ടാൽ അവട അുംഗങ്ങളാക്ക ന്നരിന ള്ള നെപെികൾ സവീക ിദ്ദക്കണ്ടര മാണ്.
3.5. ദ്ദക്ഷ്രഉപദ്ദദശ്ക സമിരിടയ ടര ടെെ ക്ക ന്നരിന് അുംഗരവകാർഡ് ലഭിക്ക ന്ന അുംഗങ്ങടള ഉൾടക്കാള്ളിച്ചുടകാണ്ട ള്ള ഒ ജിദ്ദേർഡ് മണ്ഡലും ഉണ്ടായി ിക്ക ന്നരാണ്.
3.6. ഒ ദ്ദക്ഷ്ദ്ദത്രാപദ്ദദശ്ക സമിരിയിൽ അുംഗമാക ന്ന വയക്തി ദ്ദദവസവും ദ്ദ ാർഡിന്ടേ കീെില ള്ള മറ്റ് ദ്ദക്ഷ്ത്രങ്ങളിടലദ്ദയാ ഏടരങ്കില ും സവകാ യദ്ദക്ഷ്ത്രങ്ങളിടലദ്ദയാ ഉപദ്ദദശ്കസമിരിയിദ്ദലാ മറ്റു ഭ ണസമിരിയിദ്ദലാ അുംഗമായി ിക്കാൻ പാെിലല." (underline supplied)
21. Clause (3) of the Rules makes it explicitly clear that the membership in ‘registered mandalam’ is mainly for the devotees who are residing within a distance of 5kms from the temple, who are regular worshipers and had contributed considerably for the betterment of the temple and the devotees. Sub-clauses (i) to (iv) of Clause (3) of the Rules deal with the class of persons who are
20 DBP No.121 of 2023 entitled to get membership.
22.
Clause (9) of the Rules deals with office bearers and their duties. Clause (9.1) deals with the President, Clause (9.2) deals with the Vice President, Clause (9.3.) deals with the Secretary and Clause (9.4) deals with the Treasurer. Clause (9) of the Rules reads thus;
“9. ഭാ വാഹികളുും, ച മരലയ ും
9.1. ത്പസിഡന്് ഉപദ്ദദശ്കസമിരിയ ടെ ദ്ദയാഗങ്ങളിൽ അദ്ധയക്ഷ്ും വഹിക്ക ക, ദ്ദയാഗനെപെികൾ ദ്ദ ഖടപ്പെ ത്തിയ മിനി്സിൽ ഒപ്പ് വച്ച് അുംഗീകാ ും നൽക ക, സമിരിയ ടെ ദ്ദപ ിൽ ത്പസിഡന്േ ും ത്െഷേേ ും കൂട്ടായി ഏടരങ്കില ും ഒ ദ്ദദശ്സാൽകൃര/ടഷഡയൂൾഡ് ാങ്കിൽ അക്കൗണ്ട് ര േക്ക ക, ദ്ദദവസവും ദ്ദ ാർഡിന്ടേ നിർദ്ദേശ്ങ്ങൾ അന സ ിച്ച് സമിരി ത്പവർത്തിക്ക ന്ന എന്ന് ഉേപ്പുവ ത്ത ക, സമിരിയ ടെ ദ്ദനരൃരവത്തില ള്ള പണപ്പി ിവ് സും ന്ധിച്ച ദ്ദമൽദ്ദനാട്ടും വഹിക്ക ക, ദ്ദ ാർഡ് അുംഗീക ിക്ക ന്ന കാ യങ്ങൾക്ക മാത്രും നിയമാന സൃരും ണ്ട് ടചലവാക്ക ന്ന ടവന്ന് ഉേപ്പുവ ത്ത ക, പണപ്പി ിവ് കെിൊല െൻ ര ക നിയമാന സയരും ദ്ദജായിന്് അക്കൗണ്ടിൽ നിദ്ദക്ഷ്പിക്ക ന്ന ടവന്ന് ഉേപ്പുവ ത്ത ക, ദ്ദക്ഷ്ത്രഉന്നമനത്തിന ഭക്തജന സൗക യാർഥും പദ്ധരികൾ ആവിഷ്ക്ക്ക ിച്ച് ദ്ദ ാർഡിന്ടേ അന മരിദ്ദയാടെ നെപ്പാക്ക ക. എലലാും അുംഗങ്ങളുടെയ ും വിശ്വാസവ ും സഹക ണവ ും കൂട്ടായ്ക്മയ ും ഉേപ്പാക്കി അച്ചെക്കദ്ദത്താടെ ഉപദ്ദദശ്കസമിരി ത്പവർത്തിക്ക ന്ന ടവന്ന് ഉേപ്പുവ ത്ത ക.
9.2. വവസ്ത ത്പസിഡന്് ദ്ദയാഗങ്ങൾ കൂെ ദ്ദമ്പാൾ ത്പസിഡന്േിന്ടേ അഭാവത്തിൽ ദ്ദയാഗത്തിന് അദ്ധയക്ഷ്ും വഹിക്ക ക, ദ്ദയാഗ നെപെികൾ നിയത്ന്തിക്ക ക, ദ്ദയാഗത്തിന്ടേ മിനി്സ്ത ഒപ്പ് വച്ച് അുംഗീക ിക്ക ക.
ഉപദ്ദദശ്കസമിരി ത്പവർത്തനങ്ങളിൽ ത്പസിഡന്േിടന സഹായിക്ക ക.
9.3. ടസകട്ടേി ദ്ദക്ഷ്ത്ര ഉപദ്ദദശ്കസമിരിയ ടെ വദനുംദിന ത്പവർത്തനങ്ങൾ നെത്ത ക, വ വ കൾക്ക് സീത് ടകാെ ക്ക ക, സമിരിയ ടെ അുംഗീകാ ത്തിന്
21 DBP No.121 of 2023 വിദ്ദധയമായി ചിലവ കൾ ടചയ്യുക, ചിലവ കൾക്ക് വൗച്ചേ കൾ എെ രി സൂക്ഷ്ിക്ക ക, വ വ് ചിലവ് കണക്ക കൾ എെ രി സൂക്ഷ്ിക്ക ക, സമിരിയ ടെ ദ്ദപ ില ള്ള ാങ്ക് അക്കൗണ്ട്, ടചക്ക ക്ക്, മറ്റ് േിക്കാർഡ കൾ മ രലായവ സൂക്ഷ്ിക്ക ക.
ദ്ദയാഗരീ മാനങ്ങൾ മിനി്സിൽ ദ്ദ ഖടപ്പെ ത്തി ത്പസിഡന്േിന്ടേ വകടയാപ്പ് വാങ്ങി സൂക്ഷ്ിക്ക ക. സമിരിയ ടെ അുംഗീകാ ദ്ദത്താടെ ദ്ദ ഖകൾ, നിർദ്ദദശ്ങ്ങൾ, അേിയിപ്പുകൾ, അദ്ദപക്ഷ്കൾ എന്നിവ ദ്ദദവസവും അധികൃരർ മ മ്പാടക സമർപ്പിക്ക ക.
സാമ്പത്തിക സമാഹ ണവ ും മറ്റുും നെത്ത ന്നരിന് ഡിപ്പാർട്ടുടമന്േിന്ടേ അന മരി വാങ്ങിച്ച് ആവശ്യമായ കൂപ്പൺ രയ്യാോക്കി അസിേന്് ദ്ദദവസവും കമ്മീഷണേ ടെ സീൽവച്ച് സൂക്ഷ്ിക്ക കയ ും അത് നിയമാന സൃരും ഉപദ്ദയാഗിക്ക ന്ന എന്ന് ഉേപ്പുവ ത്ത കയ ും ടചയ്യുക, പണപ്പി ിവ കളുടെയ ും വ വ ടചലവ കളുടെയ ും വാർഷിക കണക്ക കൾ ആഡിറ്റ് നെത്തി എലലാ വർഷവ ും ഏത്പിൽ മാസും 30-ാും രീയരിയ്ക്ക്ക് മ മ്പായി ദ്ദ ാർഡ് അധികൃര ടെ മ മ്പാടക ഹാജ ാക്ക ക, സമിരിയ ടെ േിക്കാർഡ കൾ സൂക്ഷ്ിക്ക ക, സമിരി നിർദ്ദേശ്ിക്ക ന്നര ും, ദ്ദദവസവും ദ്ദ ാർഡ് നിശ്ചയിക്ക ന്നര മായ ദ്ദയാഗങ്ങളിൽ സമിരിടയ ത്പരിനിധീക ിക്ക ക, ത്പസിഡന്േിന്ടേ നിർദ്ദേശ്ാന സ ണും സമിരി ദ്ദയാഗങ്ങൾ വിളിച്ച് കൂട്ടുക.
9.4. ത്െഷേർ സമിരിയ ടെ ദ്ദപ ിൽ ദ്ദജായിന്് അക്കൗണ്ട് ര െങ്ങ ക, നിശ്ചിര ആവശ്യങ്ങൾക്കായി സമാഹ ിക്ക ന്ന പണും അപ്പദ്ദപ്പാൾ ാങ്ക് അക്കൗണ്ടിൽ നിദ്ദക്ഷ്പിക്ക ന്ന ടവന്ന് ഉേപ്പുവ ത്ത ക.
വ വ ടചലവ കൾക്ക് വൗച്ചേ കൾ സൂക്ഷ്ിക്ക ന്ന ടവന്ന ും, കണക്ക കൾ കൃരയമായി ദ്ദ ഖടപ്പെ ത്തി വയ്ക്ക്ക ന്ന ടവന്ന ും ഉപദ്ദയാഗിച്ച സീര കളുടെ കൗണ്ടർ ദ്ദ ായില കളുും ഉപദ്ദയാഗിക്കാത്ത സീര കളുും ത്പദ്ദരയകും സൂക്ഷ്ിക്ക ന്ന ടവന്ന ും ഉേപ്പുവ ത്ത ക. ഉപദ്ദദശ്കസമിരിയ ടെ അുംഗീകാ ദ്ദത്താെ കൂെിയ ും ത്പസിഡന്്, ടസത്കട്ടേി എന്നിവ ടെ അേിദ്ദവാ് കൂെിയ മാണ് വ വ് ടചലവ കൾ നെത്ത ന്നടരന്ന് ഉേപ്പു വ ത്ത ക, അെിയന്തി ഘട്ടങ്ങളിൽ ഉപദ്ദയാഗിക്ക ന്നരിന് സമിരിയ ടെ രീ മാനത്തിന് വിദ്ദധയമായി ആയി ും ൂപയിൽ കവിയാത്ത ര ക വകവശ്ും വയ്ക്ക്ക ക.
(underline supplied)
23. As per Clause (9) of the Rules, one among the duties of the President, as provided in Clause (9.1), is to formulate
22 DBP No.121 of 2023 projects for the betterment of the temple and for the convenience of the devotees and implement the same with the approval of the Board. The President has to supervise the collection of funds at the initiative of the Advisory Committee and he has to ensure that the functioning of the Committee is in accordance with the directions issued by the Travancore Devaswom Board. As per Clause (9.3), the Secretary of the Committee has to get the approval of the Department for the collection of funds. He has to print coupons and keep them in safe custody, after obtaining the seal of the Assistant Commissioner. He has to ensure that such coupons are used only as per the permission granted by the Board.
The Secretary has to cause the accounts relating to the collection of funds, income and expenditure audited which shall be produced before the authorities in the Board before 30th April of every year.
As per Clause (9.4) of the Rules, the Treasurer has to ensure that proper accounts are maintained for the income and expenditure and that the income and expenditure of the Advisory Committee are with the approval of the Committee and with the knowledge of the President and the Secretary.
24. Section 31A of the Act provides for formation of a Temple Advisory Committee in a temple under the management of the Travancore Devaswom Board, in the name of the temple, in
23 DBP No.121 of 2023 order to ensure the participation of Hindu devotees, and the composition of the Temple Advisory Committee shall be in the manner as prescribed in the rules made by the Board under sub- section (3) of Section 31A, not inconsistent with any practice, if any, prevailing in that temple. The Rules (Bye-laws) framed by the Travancore Devaswom Board under sub-section (3) of Section 31A of the Act has been approved by this Court by the order dated 03.11.2011 in DBA No.153 of 2009. As per the provisions contained in Clause (2) of the Rules (Bye-laws), the Temple Advisory Committee has to render necessary assistance to the Travancore Devaswom Board and its officials for the smooth functioning of the temple activities, the conduct of daily worship, ceremonies and festivals according to the usage. The Temple Advisory Committee has to formulate schemes for the betterment and development of the temple, submit the same before the Board and execute it with the approval of the Board. The Advisory Committee shall collect donations from the devotees for the smooth conduct of temple activities and festivals only with the permission of the Department.
25. As per the provisions contained in Clause (9) of the Rules (Bye-laws) the President of the Temple Advisory Committee has to supervise the collection of funds at the initiative of the
24 DBP No.121 of 2023 Advisory Committee and he has to ensure that the functioning of the Committee is in accordance of the directions issued by the Board. The Secretary of the Advisory Committee has to get the approval of the Department for the collection of funds, against sealed coupons with the seal of the Assistant Commissioner. The Secretary has to ensure that such coupons are used only as per the permission granted by the Board. The Secretary has to close the accounts relating to the collection of funds, income and expenditure audited, which shall be produced before the authorities in the Board before 30th April of every year. The Treasurer of the Committee has to ensure that proper accounts are maintained for the income and expenditure and that the income and expenditure of the Committee are with the approval of the Committee and with the knowledge of the President and the Secretary.
26.
Clause (11) of Ext.P1 Rules, which deals with term of office of the Temple Advisory Committee, reads thus;
“11. കാലാവധി ദ്ദക്ഷ്ത്ര ഉപദ്ദദശ്കസമിരിയ ടെ ത്പവർത്തനകാലാവധി സമിരിടയ ഡിപ്പാർട്ടുടമന്് അുംഗീക ിച്ച രീയരി മ രൽ ണ്ട് വർഷക്കാലമായി ിക്ക ും, വികസനത്പവർത്തനങ്ങളുടെ ദ്ദപ ിദ്ദലാ, ഒെിച്ചുകൂൊനാകാത്ത ചെങ്ങ കളുടെ ദ്ദപ ിദ്ദലാ ഉപദ്ദദശ്കസമിരിയ ടെ കാലാവധി ഒ വർഷും കൂെി ദീർഘിപ്പിച്ച് നൽക വാൻ ദ്ദദവസവും കമ്മിഷണർക്ക ും വീണ്ട ും ഒ വർഷും കൂെി ദീർഘിപ്പിച്ചു നൽക വാൻ
25 DBP No.121 of 2023 ദ്ദദവസവും ദ്ദ ാർഡിന ും അധികാ മ ണ്ടായി ിക്ക ന്നരാണ്.
എന്നാൽ ഉപദ്ദദശ്കസമിരിയ ടെ കാലാവധി ണ്ട വർഷത്തിൽ കൂെ രൽ ദീർഘിപ്പിച്ച് നൽക വാൻ പാെ ള്ളരലല.” (underline supplied)
27. As per Clause (11) of Ext.P1 Rules, the term of the Temple Advisory Committee shall be two years from the date of approval of the Committee by the Department. The Devaswom Commissioner is empowered to extend the term of the Temple Advisory Committee for a further period of one year on the ground of any development works or unavoidable rituals. On the aforesaid grounds the Board can extend the term for a further period of one year. Clause (11) makes it explicitly clear that the term of the Temple Advisory Committee shall not be extended beyond two years.
28.
Clause (12) of the Rules, which deals with the powers and rights of the Devaswom Board, reads thus;
"12. ദ്ദദവസവും ദ്ദ ാർഡിന്ടേ അധികാ അവകാശ്ങ്ങൾ ഉപദ്ദദശ്കസമിരിയിടല അുംഗങ്ങളുടെ ദ്ദയാഗയര നിശ്ചയിക്ക വാന ും സമിരിയ ടെ കാലാവധി നിശ്ചയിക്കാന ും, വയക്തമായ കാ ണങ്ങളുടെ അെിസ്ഥാനത്തിൽ അുംഗങ്ങടള സമിരിയിൽ നിന്ന് നീക്കും ടചയ്യാന മ ള്ള അധികാ ും ദ്ദദവസവും കമ്മീഷണർക്ക് ഉണ്ടായി ിക്ക ന്നരാണ്.
ഉപദ്ദദശ്കസമിരിയ ടെ ത്പവർത്തനങ്ങൾ ദ്ദക്ഷ്ത്രത്തിന്ദ്ദേയ ും, ഹിന്ദ മര വിശ്വാസത്തിന്ദ്ദേയ ും, ദ്ദദവസവും ദ്ദ ാർഡിന്ദ്ദേയ ും രാല്പ യങ്ങൾക്ക് വി ദ്ധമായി വ ന്ന അവസ ത്തില ും വയക്തമായ സാമ്പത്തിക ത്കമദ്ദക്കെ കൾ ത്ശ്ദ്ധയിൽടപെ ന്ന അവസ ത്തില ും സമിരിടയ പൂർണമായ ും നീക്കും ടചയ്യുന്നരിന ള്ള പ ിപൂർണ്ണ അധികാ ും ദ്ദദവസവും കമ്മീഷണർക്ക് ഉണ്ടായി ിക്ക ന്നരാണ്.” (underline supplied)
26 DBP No.121 of 2023
29. As per Clause (12) of the Rules, the Devaswom Commissioner shall have the power to determine the eligibility of the members of the Advisory Committee and the term of the Advisory Committee and also to remove the members of the Committee on the basis of specific reasons. In the event of the activities of the Advisory Committee being contrary to the interest of the Temple, Hindu faith or the Devaswom Board, or in the event of specific financial irregularities, the Commissioner shall have the absolute power to remove the Advisory Committee.
30. Clause (18) of the Rules, which deals with prohibitions, reads thus;
“18.നിദ്ദ ാധനും ദ്ദക്ഷ്ത്ര ഉപദ്ദദശ്കസമിരിദ്ദയാ, അുംഗങ്ങദ്ദളാ ദ്ദക്ഷ്ത്ര സന്ദർശ്ക ിൽ നിന്ന ും ദ്ദക്ഷ്ത്രത്തിന ള്ളിൽ വച്ച് യാടരാ പണപി ിവ കളുും നെത്താൻ പാെിലല.
ദ്ദക്ഷ്ദ്ദത്രാപദ്ദദശ്കസമിരിയ ടെ ച മരലയിൽ ദ്ദക്ഷ്ത്രത്തിന ള്ളിൽ നെക്ക ന്ന ചെങ്ങ കളുടെ ദ്ദവദികളിൽ പണും സമാഹ ിക്ക ന്നരിന് കാണിക്കവഞ്ചികദ്ദളാ, പാത്രങ്ങദ്ദളാ ടവയ്ക്ക്കാൻ പാെിലലാത്തരാണ്.
ദ്ദക്ഷ്ത്രവികസന കാ യങ്ങൾക്ക് ദ്ദവണ്ടി ഡിപ്പാർട്ടുടമന്ടേ അന വാദദ്ദത്താെ കൂെി കൂപ്പണ കൾ അച്ചെിക്ക ദ്ദമ്പാൾ നിശ്ചിരര ക ദ്ദ ഖടപ്പെ ത്തിയ കൂപ്പണ കൾ മാത്രദ്ദമ അച്ചെിക്കാൻ പാെ ള്ളൂ.
അസിേന്് ദ്ദദവസവും കമ്മീഷണേ ടെ മ ത്ദ പരിപ്പിക്കാത്ത സീര കൾ യാടരാ കാ ണവശ്ാല ും പണപ്പി ിവിന് ഉപദ്ദയാഗിക്കാൻ പാെിലല.
ഇരിന് വി ദ്ധമായ ത്പവർത്തനങ്ങൾ ത്ശ്ദ്ധയിൽടപ്പട്ടാൽ സാമ്പത്തിക ത്കമദ്ദക്കൊയി പ ിഗണിച്ച് നിലവില ള്ള നിയമങ്ങൾ അന സ ിച്ച് കർശ്ന നെപെികൾ സവീക ിക്കാന ള്ള അധികാ ും ദ്ദ ാർഡിന് ഉണ്ടായി ിക്ക ന്നരാണ്.
ഉപദ്ദദശ്കസമിരിയിടല ഭാ വാഹിരവത്തില ും അുംഗരവത്തില ും ഉൾടപ്പെ ന്ന ഒ വയക്തിക്ക് ര െർച്ചയായി ണ്ട കമ്മിറ്റിയ ടെ കാലാവധിയിൽ കൂെ രൽ സമിരിയിൽ ര െ ാൻ അർഹര
27 DBP No.121 of 2023 ഉണ്ടായി ിക്ക ന്നരലല.
രി വിരാുംകൂർ ദ്ദദവസവും ദ്ദ ാർഡിന്ടേ ഭ ണാധികാ ടത്തയ ും നിയത്ന്തണാധികാ ടത്തയ ും സമിരിദ്ദക്കാ, സമിരിയിടല അുംഗങ്ങൾദ്ദക്കാ ദ്ദചാദയും ടചയ്യാൻ യാടരാ അവകാശ്വ ും ഉണ്ടായി ിക്ക ന്നരലല.
ദ്ദദവസവും ദ്ദ ാർഡിന്ടേ ഭ ണത്തില ള്ള ദ്ദക്ഷ്ത്രത്തിടല ഉപദ്ദദശ്കസമിരിയിൽ അുംഗമായിട്ടുള്ള ഒ ാൾക്ക് അദ്ദരകാലയളവിൽ ദ്ദ ാർഡ് ഭ ണത്തില ള്ള മറ്റ് ദ്ദക്ഷ്ത്രങ്ങളിദ്ദലദ്ദയാ ഏടരങ്കില ും സവകാ യ ദ്ദക്ഷ്ത്രങ്ങളിദ്ദലദ്ദയാ ഉപദ്ദദശ്കസമിരിയിദ്ദലാ മറ്റു ഭ ണസമിരിയിദ്ദലാ അുംഗമായി ിക്കാൻ അർഹര ഉണ്ടായി ിക്ക ന്നരലല.” (underline supplied)
31. Clause (18) of the Rules prohibits the Temple Advisory Committee from collecting funds in connection with any ceremonies in the temple by placing kanikkavanchi or hundies.
When coupons are printed for development activities in the temple, with the approval of the Department, only coupons for the specified amount shall be printed. No receipts without the seal of the Assistant Commissioner shall be used for collecting funds. As per Clause (18), a person who is an office bearer or member of the Temple Advisory Committee shall not be eligible to continue as such continuously exceeding the term of two committees.
32. In Sunil Kumar C. and others v. Travancore Devaswom Board and others [2022 (4) KHC 663] a Division Bench of this Court in which one among us [Anil K. Narendran, J.]
was a party noticed that, a reading of the provisions under Clause (9) of the Rules make it explicitly clear that the construction or repair or renovation work that has to be undertaken in a temple is
28 DBP No.121 of 2023 not outside the purview of the Temple Advisory Committees constituted under Section 31A of the Act. It would certainly be open to the Travancore Devaswom Board to undertake such construction, repair or renovation work in a temple, directly by its Maramath Department. However, when the Board has chosen to undertake such construction or repair or renovation work in a temple through a committee, under the supervision of the officials in Maramath Department, it has to be undertaken through the Temple Advisory Committee constituted under Section 31A of the Act, under constant supervision and scrutiny by the concerned officers of the Board, in order to ensure that the activities of the committee is in compliance with the directions issued by the Board. Therefore, the construction, repair or renovation work that has to be undertaken in a temple is not outside the purview of the Temple Advisory Committees constituted under Section 31A of the Act.
33. In Sunil Kumar C. [2022 (4) KHC 663] this Court noticed that the term of the Temple Advisory Committee is two years from the date of approval of the election by the Devaswom Commissioner, who has the authority to extend the term by one year in case of development works or unavoidable rituals in the temple. The Board has the power to extend the term by a further
29 DBP No.121 of 2023 period of one year in case of development works or unavoidable rituals in the temple. In view of the prohibition contained in Clause (11) of the Rules, the term of the Temple Advisory Committee cannot be extended beyond the period of two years. a person, who is an office bearer or member of the Temple Advisory Committee is not eligible to continue as such, continuously exceeding the term of two Committees. As held by this Court in Chandu K. v.
Travancore Devaswom Board [2021 (3) KHC 379] the power of the Devaswom Commissioner or the Board to extend the term of the Temple Advisory Committee shall not be exercised as a matter of course. The Devaswom Commissioner or the Board, as the case may be, shall call for a report regarding the developmental works going on in the temple concerned or the unavoidable rituals to be carried out in the temple and apply its mind to the materials and take a decision as to whether extension of term has to be given or not. The provisions under Clause (18) of the Rules provide sufficient safeguards to prevent illegal collection of funds by the Temple Advisory Committee for development activities in a temple.
34.
In terms of the directions issued by this Court in the order dated 03.06.2010 in W.P.(C)No.16438 of 2010, which was modified by the subsequent orders, the Travancore Devaswom
30 DBP No.121 of 2023 Board has to seek approval of this Court for award of contract involving an expenditure of Rs.20 Lakhs and above.
35. As already noticed, in view of the provisions under the Act and also the law laid down in the decisions referred to supra, the Travancore Devaswom Board is duty bound to ensure proper administration, supervision and control of the Devaswoms under its management. The Board has a statutory duty to monitor whether its administrative officials and employees and also the employees connected with religious rites are functioning properly.
The Board is duty bound to exercise proper supervision and control over the acts and proceedings of all officers and servants and to manage the properties and affairs of the Devaswoms and conduct daily worships and ceremonies and also festivals in the temples according to its usage. Position of the Board in this regard is analogous to that of trustees, as held by this Court in Ram Mohan Das [1975 KLT 55]. Any improper act of the trustees could be questioned by a worshiper. The Board and those entrusted with the duty of managing the properties and affairs of the Devaswoms are duty bound to protect the properties of the deity from any wrongful claims, theft or misappropriation. Any such wrongful claims, theft or misappropriation with the passive or active collusion of the authorities concerned, which are acts of 'fence
31 DBP No.121 of 2023 eating the crops' should be dealt with sternly. Since the deity being a perpetual minor, this Court has inherent jurisdiction to protect and safeguard the interest and properties of the deity and the doctrine of parens patriae will also apply in the exercise of such jurisdiction.
36. In Arjunan T.N. v. President, Temple Advisory Committee and others [2012 (4) KHC 155] a Division Bench of this Court was dealing with a DBP registered on the basis of TDB Report No.39 of 2011 of the learned Ombudsman on a complaint made by the devotees of Kaippillikkavu Bhagavathi Temple, which is a temple under the management of Travancore Devaswom Board relating to purchase of 20 cents of land in front of that temple, utilising the money collected from the devotees by the Temple Advisory Committee of that temple. The Tantri of the temple inaugurated the collection scheme. One Somanathan, who was dealing with the affairs of the Temple Advisory Committee, and Madhusoodhanan, registered a Trust in the name Sree Bhagavathi Seva Trust and the land was purchased in the name of that Trust utilising the funds collected from the devotees. The registration of the Trust was more than two months after the collection of funds and the property was got conveyed in favour of Madhusoodhanan, Somanathan and Raveendran on behalf of that
32 DBP No.121 of 2023 Trust. The Division Bench held that the acquisition on behalf of Sree Bhagavathi Seva Trust is, obviously, in the form of a dedication to the deity of the temple concerned and such dedication has been made utilising the funds collected from the public at large, that too, by an entity acting on behalf of the people, who were prepared to make such dedication. For such collection, receipts have been issued by the Convenor of the Land Endowment Scheme, a conglomeration of well minded devotees.
It has to be presumed that the benefit of such collection is for the purpose of the deity. Under such circumstances, the Division Bench held that the extent of 20 cents of land covered by document No.6540/2006 is an item of property which stands dedicated in favour of the deity and the purchase of the land utilising the amounts was only for the sake of; in favour of; and, in the course of dedication to, the deity. The Travancore Devaswom Board holds all the properties of the temples under its control, in terms of the provisions of the Travancore-Cochin Hindu Religious Institutions Act. Therefore, the Division Bench declared that the land covered by the aforesaid document and all structures standing thereon vest absolutely in the deity of Kaippallikkavu Bhagavathi Temple and those properties can only be managed by the Travancore Devaswom Board. Any person occupying such
33 DBP No.121 of 2023 property, including Sree Bhagavathi Seva Trust, shall cease to occupy that parcel and it will be exclusively under the management and control of the Travancore Devaswom Board on behalf of the deity.
37. In view of the prohibitions contained in Clauses 9, 12 and 18 of the Rules (Bye-laws) for the formation of Temple Advisory Committees in temples under the management of Travancore Devaswom Board, any collection of funds by the Temple Advisory Committee in connection with the conduct of temple festival or construction or repair or renovation work in the temple can only be made with the prior approval of the Travancore Devaswom Board, against sealed coupons issued by the Assistant Commissioner. The Secretary of the Temple Advisory Committee has to cause the accounts relating to the collection of funds, income and expenditure audited, which shall be produced before the authorities in the Board before 30th April of every year. In view of the provisions contained in Clause 12 of the Rules, in the event of any specific financial irregularities in the activities of the Temple Advisory Committee, the Devaswom Commissioner shall have the absolute power to remove that Committee. Clause 18 of the Rules prohibits collection of funds by the Temple Advisory Committee in connection with any ceremonies in the temples by placing kanikka
34 DBP No.121 of 2023 vanchies or hundis. No receipts without the seal of the Assistant Commissioner shall be used for collecting funds, when the Board has granted permission for collection of funds at the initiative of the Temple Advisory Committee.
38. In view of the law laid down by this Court in Arjunan T.N. [2012 (4) KHC 155], the collection of funds by the Temple Advisory Committee, based on the approval granted by the Board, against receipts with the seal of the Assistant Commissioner, in connection with the conduct of temple festival or for construction, repair or renovation work in the temple, is collection of money in the name of the deity. The purpose of such collection is for the benefit of the deity. As suggested in the affidavit filed by the respondent Deputy Director, State Audit Department, Travancore Devaswom Board Audit, it is for the Board to take necessary steps to ensure that the amounts collected by the Temple Advisory Committees in the temples under its management in connection with the conduct of temple festival or for construction, repair or renovation work in the temple, which are credited into the account of the Advisory Committee, are transferred to the Devaswom fund temporarily. Thereafter, adopting the method of issuing payment cheques from the Devaswom fund, on the basis of payment bills prepared by the Maramath wing of the Board, payments can be
35 DBP No.121 of 2023 released to the contractor. If such a procedure is adopted, the supervision of the Maramath wing of the Board will be more effective and the work files can be kept in the Maramath wing, which can be subjected to regular audit by the State Audit Department, annually.
Having considered the pleadings and materials on record and the submissions made at the Bar, we deem it appropriate to dispose of this DBP by permitting the Board to proceed with the award of contract for the work due to devastating fire that occurred to the temple structure, i.e., Valiyambalam and Thidappallli of Kalarkode Devaswom in Ambalappuzha, after taking note of the observations contained hereinbefore at paragraph No.38. The entire income and expenditure in respect of the repair work would be subject to statutory audit.
Sd/- ANIL K. NARENDRAN, JUDGE
Sd/-
HARISANKAR V. MENON, JUDGE
bkn/-