Circular Na.Ka.No. 29378/2015 M3, Temple Poramboke Lands, 2021
The Commissioner of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department issued Circular Na.Ka.No. 29378/2015 M3, dated 13 October 2021, directing officials to protect temple poramboke lands and pursue patta in the name of the temple deity. It states that title to disputed lands remains with the Government, while temples under the department’s control have possession and enjoyment rights, and private individuals or trustees cannot claim those lands.
What the circular covers
Circular Na.Ka.No. 29378/2015 M3, dated 13 October 2021, concerns lands classified as temple poramboke and disputed lands possessed and used by temples under the control and administration of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department. The Commissioner issued directions based on court decisions concerning the rights of the Government, temples, trustees and private occupants.
The circular also directs departmental officials to take steps for patta relating to temple poramboke lands in the name of the temple deity, following the applicable procedure and obtaining the required approval.
Rights over temple lands
Circular Na.Ka.No. 29378/2015 M3 sets out the following principles:
- Title and ownership of the disputed lands vest with the Government.
- Temples are entitled to possess and enjoy their respective disputed lands, subject to the control and administration of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department.
- Trustees and private individuals cannot claim rights over lands possessed and enjoyed by temples.
- The Government must not use, assign, transfer or construct permanent structures on these lands for purposes other than the beneficial interests of the temple.
- Temples under the department’s control have rights arising from long possession, the Revenue Standing Order and the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act.
Protection and use of the land
The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department must take possession of remaining vacant temple land and secure it by constructing a compound wall at its own cost within six months. The land must be used only for the betterment of the temple.
If another person occupies any part of the property, the department must evict that encroacher through the lawful process. The department must also take possession of the temple pond and maintain it for temple use and activities.
Who may be affected
Property buyers, occupants, trustees and neighbouring owners may be affected where land is recorded or treated as temple poramboke, is possessed by a temple, or forms part of a temple pond or disputed temple property. Private occupation does not create a claim against the temple under the principles recorded in the circular, and an occupant may face eviction through legal proceedings.
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
Can I buy temple poramboke land from a trustee or private person?
The circular states that no trustee or private individual may claim rights over disputed lands possessed and enjoyed by temples. It does not authorise a private sale of such land.
Does the temple own the disputed land?
Title and ownership remain with the Government. The temple has possession and enjoyment rights, subject to the control and administration of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department.
Can the Government use temple poramboke land for another project?
The Government must not use, assign, transfer or build permanent structures on the land for purposes other than the beneficial interests of the temple.
What happens if someone occupies temple land?
The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department must evict the encroacher through the lawful process. Vacant land must be secured with a compound wall and used only for the temple’s betterment.
