G.O.(Ms) No.24, Mahamaham Festival 2016 at Kumbakonam, Constitution of High Level Committee at State Level

Purpose of the document

Government Order (Ms) No. 24 dated 11 February 2015 was issued by the Municipal Administration and Water Supply (MA3) Department to establish a State Level High Level Committee for the Mahamaham Festival 2016 at Kumbakonam. The festival was expected to attract a large number of pilgrims from across the country, requiring coordinated arrangements and amenities.

The Commissioner of Municipal Administration requested formation of the committee following a request from the District Collector, Thanjavur. A similar committee of 23 officials had overseen arrangements for the Mahamaham Festival held in March 2004.

What the committee does

The State Level High Level Committee is responsible for overseeing and monitoring arrangements connected with the festival.

Key provisions are:

• The committee consists of 22 senior officials.
• The Chief Secretary to Government, Public Department, is the Chairperson.
• The Principal Secretary to Government, Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department, is the Member Convener.
• The committee will monitor preparations once a month initially.
• After two months, it will monitor preparations twice a month, meaning once every 15 days.

Departments and authorities represented

The 22 member committee brings together officials responsible for finance, municipal administration, tourism, culture, religious endowments, transport, public works, highways, environment, forests, home affairs, food, consumer protection, energy, health, information, rural development, revenue and emergency services.

Other members include:

• The Director of Municipal Administration.
• The Commissioner of Hindu Religious and Endowments.
• The Director General of Police.
• The Director of Fire and Rescue Services.
• The District Collector, Thanjavur.
• The Superintendent of Police, Thanjavur.
• The General Manager, Southern Railways.

Relevance to property owners and buyers

Government Order (Ms) No. 24 dated 11 February 2015 is an administrative coordination measure for a festival. It does not state that any land will be acquired, reclassified or transferred. It also does not impose building controls, land use conditions, property charges or duties on individual owners or buyers.

A property owner or buyer in Kumbakonam is therefore not given any direct obligation under the document. The practical subject is government oversight of festival preparations and pilgrim amenities.