The devotees are entitled to offer voluntary service known as “Uzhavara pani”.

The question that arises for my consideration in this writ petition is whether the Executive Officer of Arulmighu Dhandayuthapani Swami Temple, Palani is competent to issue the impugned tender notification dated 20.08.2020 inviting sealed tenders for providing house keeping service in the Hill temple and the institutions attached to it.

2.The writ petitioner contends that the devotees are entitled to offer voluntary service known as “Uzhavara pani”. By entrusting the cleaning and maintenance works to outsiders in the name of house keeping contract, the temple management has infringed the rights of the devotees. The second respondent temple is not having a regular trust board for almost a decade. The Executive Officer of the temple acts as ex-officio Fit Person. Such an official cannot take major decisions having financial implications. The impugned tender notification is violative of the provisions of the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959 (hereinafter referred to as “the Act”)

 

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