G.O. (Ms.) No. 398, Appointment of Archakas Irrespective of Caste High Level Committee Report, 2008
The Tamil Development, Religious Endowments and Information Department issued Government Order (Ms.) Number 398, dated 1 December 2008, directing publication of the High Level Committee report on appointing trained and qualified Hindus as archakas irrespective of caste. The report, annexed in Tamil and English, examines qualifications, training and appointment practices for archakas in Hindu temples under the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department.
What the notification does
Government Order (Ms.) Number 398 of the Tamil Development, Religious Endowments and Information Department, dated 1 December 2008, directs that the annexed High Level Committee report be published in an Extraordinary issue of the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette. The report is published in both Tamil and English.
The notification publishes the committee's findings. The supplied text does not state that every recommendation in the report was separately adopted or brought into force through this publication.
Policy considered by the committee
The High Level Committee examined the Tamil Nadu Government's decision that properly trained and qualified Hindus could be appointed as archakas in Hindu temples irrespective of caste. The committee had been constituted through Government Order (Ms.) Number 120, dated 10 June 2006, to advise on implementing that policy.
The report addresses:
- Minimum education, training periods and age limits for archaka trainees.
- Course content for Saivite, Vaishnavite and other temple traditions.
- Agamas, current temple worship practices and the legal position concerning archaka appointments.
- Locations and administration of government training centres.
- Regulation and recognition of privately operated archaka training centres.
- Class based reservation, trainee assistance, practical training and refresher training.
- Existing qualifications of archakas serving in major temples.
- Worship and archana in Tamil.
How the committee worked
The High Level Committee held meetings, consulted heads of Hindu religious institutions and scholars, and visited private training centres. Its chair and member secretary also visited training schools, monasteries and major Saivite and Vaishnavite temples to collect information about courses, training duration, admission age, educational qualifications and existing worship practices.
Who may be affected
Government Order (Ms.) Number 398 is relevant to Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department officials, Hindu temples under its control, serving archakas, prospective trainees and organisations operating archaka training centres. It concerns religious appointments and training. The supplied text contains no provision dealing with land ownership, property title, sale, registration or development rights.
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
Does Government Order (Ms.) Number 398 affect my land or property purchase?
No land or property transaction is covered in the supplied text. The notification publishes a committee report about the training, qualifications and appointment of archakas in Hindu temples.
Does the report say caste alone can prevent a person from becoming an archaka?
The government policy examined by the committee allows properly trained and qualified Hindus to be appointed as archakas irrespective of caste. Training and qualification remain central requirements.
What did Government Order (Ms.) Number 398 formally direct?
The Tamil Development, Religious Endowments and Information Department directed publication of the annexed High Level Committee report in the Tamil Nadu Government Extraordinary Gazette dated 1 December 2008.
Does the committee report cover archaka training schools?
Yes. It considers course content, training duration, educational qualifications, age limits, government training centres, private training centres, practical training and refresher training.
