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SHRI JAGANNATH TEMPLE AMENDMENT ACT, 1983
SHRI JAGANNATH TEMPLE AMENDMENT ACT, 1983
[For the Bill, see Orissa Gazette Extraordinary, dated the 26th March 1983 (No.359)]
[Received the assent of the Governor on the 30th April 1983 first published in extraordinary issue of the Orissa Gazette, dated the 3rd May 1983]
An Act to Amend Shri Jagannath Temple Act, 1955
BE it enacted by the Legislature of the State of the Orissa in the Thirty-fourth year of the Republic of India, as follows:-
Short title and commencement.
1. (1) This act may be called Shri Jagannath Temple (Amendment) Act, 1983.
(2) It shall come into force at once.
Amendment of section 28.
Orissa Act, 11 of 1955.
2. In section 28 of Shri Jagannath Temple Act, 1955 (hereinafter referred to as the principal Act), in sub-section (1), for the words “and shall consist of” the words and comma” and save as otherwise provided in this Act, shall consist of” shall be substituted.
Insertion of new section 28-B and 28-C.
3. In the Principal Act, after section 28-A the following new sections shall be inserted, namely:-
Installation of Hundi
“28-B(1) The Committee may, with the approval of the State Government install one or more receptacles (hereinafter referred to as Hundi) at such place or places in the Temples as it may think fit for placing of offerings by the pilgrims and devotes visiting the Temple.
(2) The Hundi shall be operated by such person and in such manner as the State Government may, from time to time, determine.
(3) Such portion of the offerings placed in a Hundi as State Government may, from time to time, direct shall be credited to the Foundation Fund.
(4) No person shall, without being authorized by the Administrator in that behalf go near or interfere in any manner with any Hundi installed in the Temple:
Provided that no such authorization shall be required for going near any Hundi for the bona fide purpose of placing any offering therein.
Orissa Act 10 of 1983.
(5) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any law, custom usage or agreement or in the record of-rights, no sevak shall be entitle to any share in the offering placed in any Hundi installed after the commencement of Shri Jagannath Temple (Amendment) Act, 1983.
Foundation Fund.
28-C (1) There shall be constituted a fund called “Shri Jagannath Temple Foundation Fund” (hereinafter referred to as the Foundation Fund) which shall vest in and be administered by the Foundation Fund Committee constituted under sub-section (6).
(2) The Foundation Fund shall consist of all donations and contributions of an amount exceeding five hundred rupees made by any person to the Temple or in the name of any deity installed therein, other than those made for any specific purpose, and such other amounts as may be directed by the State Government.
(3) All amounts credited to the Foundation Fund shall be invested in long term fixed deposits with such bank or banks as the State Government may approve and shall always be kept so invested, and no such fixed deposit shall be pledged of other-wise encumbered:
Provided that the State Government may permit such sum out of the Foundation Fund as they may fix, to be utilized for any purpose of the Temples as they may specify.
(4) All amounts accruing by way of interest on such fixed deposits shall be credited to and form part of Shri Jagannath Temple Fund constituted under Section 28.
(5) Out of the amount so credited to Shri Jagannath Temple Fund-
(a) such percentage not exceeding fifty as the State Government may determine, shall be paid to Shri Jagannath Sanskrit Viswavidyalaya, Puri; and
(b) such percentage not exceeding five as may be determined by the State Government shall be utilized for the welfare of the Sevaks.
(6) The Foundation Fund Committee shall consist of the following members:-
(a) the Chief Minister of the State of Orissa who shall be the Chairman,
(b) the Minister in charge of Law who shall be the Vice-Chairman,
(c) the Secretary to the Government in Law Department,
(d) the Secretary to the Government in the Finance Department or his nominee who shall not be below the rank of Joint Secretary.
(e) The Collector of the district of Puri, and
(f) The Administrator of the Temple who shall be the Secretary.
(7) The Committee shall conduct its business in such manner as they may determine.
(8) During the absence of the Chairman the Vice Chairman shall act as and perform the functions of the Chairman:
Provided that the Secretary to the Government in the Law Department shall act as and perform the functions of the Chairman during any period when both the offices of the Chief Minister and the Minister, Law remain vacant.
Orissa Act 10 of1983.
(9) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any law, custom, usage or agreement or in the record-of-rights, no Sevak shall be entitled to any share out of the amount of donations or contributions to the Foundation Fund made under sub-section (2) after the commencement of Shri Jagannath Temple (Amendment) Act, 1983”.
