Temple land lease, rent arrears and protection guidance
The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department issued proceedings in Na.Ka. No. 31154/2010 dated 17.12.2021 giving instructions on temple land administration. It tells officials to protect temple properties, collect lease rent and arrears, act against encroachment and default, and follow directions already given by the High Court and under the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959.
What this document is
The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, in Na.Ka. No. 31154/2010 dated 17.12.2021, issued administrative guidance on how temple lands and related lease matters must be handled. The guidance is aimed at officers dealing with temple properties and focuses on leasing, rent collection, arrears recovery, action against encroachment, and accountability of officials.
What it governs
This guidance deals with immovable properties belonging to temples, especially land given on lease or occupied by others. It says temple property must be managed in a way that does not defeat the intention of donors or the purpose of the endowment.
It also refers to directions connected with the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959 and court orders cited in the text, including W.P.(MD) No. 17198/2020 dated 11.12.2020 and W.P.(MD) No. 16833/2017 dated 12.02.2018.
Who it affects
This guidance mainly affects:
- temple tenants and lessees
- people in possession of temple lands
- defaulters who have not paid rent arrears
- encroachers on temple property
- Executive Officers, Joint Commissioners, Assistant Commissioners and other Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department staff responsible for temple property management
Key directions
- When temple properties are leased out, officials must ensure that the donors' sentiment and the object of the endowment are not defeated.
- Action must be taken against employees who fail in duties such as collecting rent, proceeding against defaulters, protecting properties from encroachment, and retrieving encroached properties.
- A public notice must be issued to persons in possession of temple lands, using methods such as newspapers, temple notice boards, the official website, and other print or media forms.
- The public notice must call on occupants to voluntarily pay arrears of rent within the period stated in the cited court direction.
- If payment is not made, action must be initiated under Section 34B of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act to recover arrears and retrieve the properties.
- A committee must examine the period of arrears and what action officers have taken to recover rent and properties from defaulters.
- If officers have failed to collect rent or start recovery steps for more than the period mentioned in the cited court direction, action must be initiated against those officers.
Why it matters for buyers and owners
Anyone dealing with temple land should be careful. The guidance shows that the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department is expected to actively recover arrears, remove encroachments, and retrieve temple properties, so possession or occupation without proper compliance can lead to enforcement action.
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 this document apply to private patta land?
No. The text is about properties belonging to temples and their lease, rent collection, arrears, encroachment, and retrieval.
Can temple land occupants be asked to clear old rent dues?
Yes. The text says public notice must be issued to persons in possession of temple lands asking them to voluntarily pay arrears of rent, and if they fail, action must follow.
What happens if temple officials do not collect rent or protect temple land?
The text says action shall be taken against employees who fail to collect rent, fail to act against defaulters, fail to protect properties from encroachment, or fail to retrieve encroached properties.
Does the document say temple land leases must respect the donor's intention?
Yes. The text specifically says that whenever temple properties are leased out, officials must ensure that the sentiment of the donors and the object of the endowment are not defeated.
