Primary law, Tamil Nadu land law
The Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious Institutions Employees (Conditions of Service) Rules, 2020
The Tourism, Culture and Religious Endowments Department issued G.O.Ms.No.114, Tourism, Culture And Religious Endowments (RE4-2), dated 3rd September 2020, publishing the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious Institutions Employees (Conditions of Service) Rules, 2020, made by the Governor of Tamil Nadu. The ru...
Purpose and legal effect
The Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious Institutions Employees (Conditions of Service) Rules, 2020 were published by the Tourism, Culture and Religious Endowments Department under G.O.Ms.No.114, Tourism, Culture And Religious Endowments (RE4-2), dated 3rd September 2020. The Governor of Tamil Nadu made the rules using powers under the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959.
The 2020 rules supersede the earlier rules published through Revenue Department Notification S.R.O.No.A-1252 of 1964.
Institutions covered
The Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious Institutions Employees (Conditions of Service) Rules, 2020 apply to:
- All Hindu public religious institutions and endowments.
- Incorporated Devaswoms.
- Unincorporated Devaswoms.
The rules do not apply to maths or to specific endowments attached to maths.
Employees and authorities
The Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious Institutions Employees (Conditions of Service) Rules, 2020 define an employee broadly. The term includes a person holding an office connected to an inam granted, confirmed or recognised by the Government, and a person paid in cash or kind from the institution's funds.
Key administrative terms include:
- The appointing authority is the trustee or fit person of the religious institution.
- The executive authority may be the trustee, fit person or executive officer, depending on the institution.
- Departmental pension applies to an eligible employee who is not entitled to pension under the Employees Provident Fund Scheme.
- Employees Provident Fund pension means pension sanctioned by the Employees Provident Fund Authority to an enrolled employee.
Classification of institutions and posts
The Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious Institutions Employees (Conditions of Service) Rules, 2020 distinguish between Senior Grade Temples and Non-Senior Grade Temples. Senior Grade status is linked to the cadre of the executive officer, taking account of the institution's income and movable and immovable properties.
The listed posts are organised into classes, groups and categories. They include outdoor administrative, accounts, technical, medical and educational employees, as well as indoor employees involved in poojas, rituals, recitations, music and services to the deity.
Relevance to property matters
The Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious Institutions Employees (Conditions of Service) Rules, 2020 concern institutional employees and staffing classifications. The supplied text does not create or alter ownership rights, land titles or procedures for buying property, although institutional income and movable and immovable properties are factors in identifying a Senior Grade Temple.
This summary is generated from the source document to help you find what is relevant. The PDF above is authoritative. For advice on your own property, use LandLens One or speak to a qualified professional.
Common questions
Do these rules apply to every Hindu religious institution in Tamil Nadu?
They apply to all Hindu public religious institutions and endowments, including incorporated and unincorporated Devaswoms. They do not apply to maths or specific endowments attached to maths.
Who is the appointing authority for employees covered by these rules?
The appointing authority is the trustee or fit person of the concerned religious institution.
Did the 2020 rules replace any earlier employee service rules?
Yes. The Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious Institutions Employees (Conditions of Service) Rules, 2020 supersede the rules published through Revenue Department Notification S.R.O.No.A-1252 of 1964.
Do these rules change the ownership or title of temple land?
The supplied text deals with employees, administrative authorities and post classifications. It does not create or alter land ownership or title rights.
