A.S. NARAYANA DEEKSHITULU ETC. versus STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH AND ORS.

Citation: [1997] SUPP. 1 S.C.R. 328 · Decided: 09-05-1997 · Supreme Court of India · Bench: K. RAMASWAMY · Disposal: Disposed off
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Judgment (excerpt)

A 
B 
A.S. NARAYANA DEEKSHITULU ETC. 
v. 
STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH AND ORS. 
MAY 9, 1997 
[K. RAMASWAMY AND D.P. WADHWA, JJ.] 
Andhra Pradesh Chmitable and Hindu Religious Institutions and En-
dowments Act, 1987: Section 142. 
C 
Hindu law--Thirumala Tirupati Devasthanams-Venkateswara-
Swamy (Balaji Temple}-Archakas and other office bearers-Abolition of 
hereditmy 1ights--Direction by Supreme Court for constitution of a Commit-
tee-Detennination of payment of salmy to the holders of the ·office on 
hereditary basis prior to abolition of hereditmy rights-Report submitted by 
Committee to Govemment-Recommendations accepted by Govemment 
D with and without modifications-Approval of recommendations by Supreme 
Cowt. 
While upholding the constitutional validity* of Chapter IV of the 
Andhra Pradesh Charitable and Hindu Religious Institutions and Endow· 
E ments Act, 1987 this Court gave a direction to constitute a Committee to 
determine the payment of salary to the holders of the office on hereditary 
basis prior to the abolition thereof. As per the directions of this Court the 
Committee submitted its report to the Government which considered the 
Committee's recommendations and along with its comments and sugges· 
F 
tions submitted the same to this Court for further approval. 
Disposing the petitions, this Court 
HELD : 1. The fixation of the scales of pay and payment of 
honorarium are customary honours provided under the Act. The recom· 
G mendations as accepted by the Government, with or without modifications, 
are approved. [340-B] 
2. The Committee has recommended the rationalisation of the pay· 
scales and payment of honorarium to the Archakas, Poto workers and 
other religious staff, Sri Pedda Jeeyangar and Sri China Jeeyangar relat-
H ing to ITD. This recommendation has been accepted subject to allowing 
328 
A.S.N. DEEKSHITULUv. STATE 
329 
full freedom to revise the cadre strenth emoluments, incentives etc., to be A 
offered to its religious staff depending on the exigency of work, administra· 
tive convenience etc. The sc~les of pay and payment of honorarium would 
be determined as accepted by the Government. [332-C-E] 
3. The Committee has recommended to the Government to examine 
the provisions of Section 142 regarding the honours to be extended as per B 
the customs and usages to the Archakas, Pedda Jeeyangar, China Jeeyan· 
gar, Acharyapurushas, Ekangies, Adhypakas and others. They have been 
designated by the Committee as erstwhile mirasidars etc. doing 
kainkaryamas of sevas in the temples. The Government has rightly ac-
cepted the recommendation. [335·A·B] 
C 
4. The Committee has recommended four categories of Archakas, 
viz. Pradhana Archakas, Upa-pradhana Archakas, Mukhya Archakas and 
Archakas in the temples under the control of TTD, in the time-scale 
attached to the Deputy Executive Officer, Assistant Executive Officer, 
Superintendent and Senior Assistant in the Devasthanams. The hereditary D 
Archakas have been designated in the first category and rest of them have 
been treated as based upon the length of service and seniority etc. The 
fixation of the scales of pay and the classification of Archakas into four 
categories is perfectly valid. [335-C; HJ 
E 
5. The Committee has recommended three categories, out of four, of 
gamekars whose designations find place in the acceptance of the recom· 
mendations and, therefore, their enumeration as Poto Supervisor, Poto 
worker (Senior) and Poto Worker (Junior) in the time scale of pay 
respectively of the secular staff is identical to their designations and the 
status they enjoyed in the service under the TTD. The recommendation F 
and acceptance thereof subject to the limitations prescribed by the Govern· 
ment is approved. [336-D; El 
6. The Committee's recommendation regarding determination of 
cadre strength and grant of scale of pay to other workers has also been G 
accepted by the Government subject to the limitations prescribed. The 
same stands approved. [337-B] 
7. The recommendation of the Committee relating to appointment of 
Ekangies and Adhyapakas as per the custom and usage, by Sri Pedda 
Jeeyangar and putting them under the control of Sri Pedda Jeeyangar, as H 
330 
SUPREME COURT REPORTS [1997] SUPP. 1 S.C.R. 
A being done presently, has been accepted by the Government with specific 
conditions. The same is quite reasonable. [337-F-G] 
B 
8. The Committee has recommended payment of honorarium of Rs. 
10 lakhs per annum to Sri Pedda J
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