TNN | Nov 18, 2018, 08.30 AM IST
CHENNAI:
Declining to set aside a notification issued by the state government
mandating approval from state level heritage screening committee to
carry out renovations in temples, the Madras high court has
made it clear that only the committee can decide whether a
temple is of heritage value or not.
“It is very clear that temples not more than 100 years old will not fall under the purview of notification. But the issue as to whether the temple is ancient, or is of heritage value or not, has to be decided only by the committee and not by anyone else. Only the committee will examine the archaeological and architectural value/ ancientness of the temple and arrive at a conclusion, as to whether permission is required or not,” a division bench of Justice S Manikumar and Justice Subramonium Prasad said.
The bench made the observation while disposing of a plea moved by Trichy-based Sendalankara Jeer Trust to quash a notification dated February 14, 2017, in so far as its application to non-heritage and non-ancient temples under the administrative control of the HR&CE department.
“It is very clear that temples not more than 100 years old will not fall under the purview of notification. But the issue as to whether the temple is ancient, or is of heritage value or not, has to be decided only by the committee and not by anyone else. Only the committee will examine the archaeological and architectural value/ ancientness of the temple and arrive at a conclusion, as to whether permission is required or not,” a division bench of Justice S Manikumar and Justice Subramonium Prasad said.
The bench made the observation while disposing of a plea moved by Trichy-based Sendalankara Jeer Trust to quash a notification dated February 14, 2017, in so far as its application to non-heritage and non-ancient temples under the administrative control of the HR&CE department.
According to the petitioner, it prohibits all renovation and repair work
in temples in Tamil Nadu without obtaining prior approval from the
government. “Though the notification is only for ancient and heritage
temples, it actually states that no repair or renovation should be
carried out in any temple without obtaining prior approval of the
heritage committee. But temples which are not ancient, and heritage
should not require the approval of the heritage committee,” he
contended.
Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/trichy/govt-nod-must-for-renovating-ancient-temples-rules-hc/articleshowprint/66673795.cms
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