Vidhi Codex

The Himachal Pradesh Hindu Public Religious Institution and Charitable Endowments Act, 1984

The Himachal Pradesh Hindu Public Religious Institution and Charitable Endowments Act, 1984

Civil198437 sections

This law provides a legal framework for the state governance and administration of public Hindu temples, religious maths, and charitable trusts across Himachal Pradesh. It applies to listed public Hindu religious institutions, their appointed trustees, pujaris, and associated properties, while excluding private temples and Sikh gurdwaras. By appointing a government Commissioner to oversee administration, the legislation mandates formal asset registration, annual budget approvals, and regular account audits. It restricts the unauthorized sale or transfer of temple property and empowers authorities to remove encroachments or mismanaging trustees. This Act ensures public religious endowments are ethically managed, preserved, and utilized for community welfare and religious purposes.

Start reading →Read full ActSections
  1. 1. Short title, extent, application and commencement
  2. 2. Definitions
  3. 3. Appointment of Commissioner and other officers
  4. 4. Commissioner to be a Hindu
  5. 5. Powers and functions of the Commissioner
  6. 6. Preparation and maintenance of registers by religious institutions
  7. 7. Annual verification of the register
  8. 8. Trustee bound to obey orders made under the Act
  9. 9. Care to be required of trustee and his powers
  10. 10. Provided that the trustee may reimburse himself in respect of such costs, charges or expenses, if he is specifically permitted to do so by the Commissioner.
  11. 11. Inspection of property and documents
  12. 12. Alienation of immovable properties of Public Religious Institution and Charitable Endowments
  13. 13. Restriction on registration of document
  14. 14. Recovery of immovable property unlawfully alienated
  15. 15. Removal of encroachment of land and premises belonging to a religious institution and endowment
  16. 16. Power to act for protection of Hindu Public Religious Institution and Charitable Endowments
  17. 17. Authority of trustee to incur expenditure for securing the health, safety or convenience of pilgrims and worshippers
  18. 18. Appointment and tenure of non-hereditary trustee and pujari
  19. 19. Power to suspend, remove or dismiss trustees and pujaris
  20. 20. Disqualifications of trustees and pujaris
  21. 21. Filling of vacancy in the office of hereditary trustee or pujari
  22. 22. Budget of religious institutions and charitable endowments
  23. 23. Accounts
  24. 24. The trustee shall provide to such auditor all facilities for such access.
  25. 25. Penalty for wrongful withholding of property belonging to the religious institution and Charitable endowment
  26. 26. Protection of action taken under this Act
  27. 27. Power to give directions
  28. 28. Power of State Government to review
  29. 29. Provided that, before any order is made under this section, the State Government, shall afford to any person likely to be affected adversely by such order, an opportunity of being heard.
  30. 30. Delegation of powers
  31. 31. The Commissioner may fix any terms and conditions subject to which the functions so delegated shall be performed.
  32. 32. Bar of jurisdiction
  33. 33. Act not to apply to certain religious institutions
  34. 34. Power to make rules
  35. 35. Certain enactments to cease to apply to Hindu Public Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments
  36. I. SCHEDULE-I
  37. II. SCHEDULE-II

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