Rules on temple building works, estimates and tenders

What this document covers

TNHRCE Rules 1959 Part 12, issued under the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (Administration) Department, lays down the process for carrying out building works connected with a religious institution. It covers planning, estimates, measurements, approval, supervision, donor funded works, supplies and tender procedure.

The text says that "building" includes the premises of a religious institution and any building, structure or work that helps irrigation and increases irrigation facilities owned by or in the possession of a religious institution. It says that "work" includes construction, repair, alteration, conservation or renovation of such buildings or structures, but excludes any gopuram, vimanam, stone mantapam or other stone structure with stucco works belonging to it.

Who it affects

This text matters to:

• trustees and Boards of Trustees of religious institutions
• Executive Officers
• worshippers or other persons who offer to fund or execute works
• engineers, supervisors and contractors involved in temple related works

Main requirements

• The trustee must submit an annual report to the appropriate authority, six months before the end of each fasli, listing works needed in the next fasli, why they are needed, rough cost and how the cost will be met.
• After a proposal is approved, detailed estimates and plans must be prepared and sent to the appropriate authority.
• Plans and estimates must generally be prepared by qualified persons from a Government approved panel, subject to the exceptions stated in the text.
• Measurements, check measurement and super check must be done by the categories of technical personnel named in the text.
• Estimates must include a report, specification, detailed measurements and quantities, data sheet of rates where necessary, and an abstract of estimated cost. Important works should also have a plan showing the design.
• Works that are not purely secular must respect traditional architecture and preserve architectural, sculptural and archaeological features.
• White washing and painting may be done only for non granite structures that do not contain inscriptions or sculptural works.

Donor works, sanctions and tenders

• If a worshipper or other person offers to donate or execute building work, the trustee must collect proposal details and send them with remarks to the appropriate authority.
• The appropriate authority may sanction plans and estimates, impose conditions, and decide whether work will be done departmentally or through contractors.
• Building work should not begin without sanction, except urgent minor repairs that cannot be postponed.
• No one may exceed sanctioned expenditure or deviate from approved plans without written sanction.
• Tenders must be called for when the contract amount is Rs. 10,000 or more, and the work cannot be split to avoid tendering.
• For larger works, tender notices must be published in newspapers and local notice boards in the manner stated in the text.
• Supervision, control and inspection may be imposed at a cost fixed by the appropriate authority within the limit stated in the text.