03-01-2008, 10:10 PM
<b>High Court stays GO on archaks assets </b>
DH News Service, Bangalore: Deccan Herald, march 01, 2008
The High Court on Friday stayed the operation of the recent State Governments Order, and subsequent circular which seeks details of income and assets of archaks of all muzrai temples in the State.
Justice K L Manjunath passed an interim order to this effect following a writ petition by M R Neelakanta Dixit, pradhana archak of Sri Someshwara Swamy temple, Bangalore and several other archaks of various temples in Bangalore, Kolar and Mandya districts.
The petitioners impugned the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Commissioner's circular dated January 30, 2008, directing all DCs to collect the assets statements of archaks, assistant archaks, upadikantaras, mantrapushpa archaks or parupattedars working in all muzrai temples.
<b>Validity challenged</b>
They also challenged the validity of the State Government Order dated January 11, 2008.
The petitioning archaks said that archaks have meagre monthly salaries and depend on 'Thattekasu' (offerings) obtained during mangalarathis and archanes, and 'Dakshine' on performing homas, for livelihood. The State government move to seek assets of archaks and their relatives is of no relevance to the muzrai department, but only a way to harass them, they contended.
They said, the GO and Circular seeks details of salary and seva commission, although no minimum pay is fixed for archaks till date and no commission is received by them for their services.
The Court stayed the operation of both the GO and the circular, while ordering notices to Secretary to Revenue Department (Muzrai) and the Endowments Commissioner on the petition.