Sarvajna Kshetra Development Authority Act, 2020

KARNATAKA ACT NO. 38 OF 2020 Sarvajna Kshetra Development Authority Act, 2020.

(1) This Act may be called Sarvajna Kshetra Development Authority Act, 2020.

1. (2) It shall come into force on such date as the State Government may, by notification, in the Official Gazette appoint.

1. (a) "Amenity" includes road, streets, sub-ways, lighting, drainage, sanitation, electricity and water supply or other convenience, public works, market places,

post offices, banks, hospitals, dispensaries, public stations, fair price shops, milk booths, libraries, recreation centres, service stations of any public utility service authorized by the Authority or other facility; and such other amenities as the State Government may by notification specify;

1. (b) "Authority" means the Sarvajna Kshetra Development Authority constituted under section 3;
2. (c) "Chairman" means the Chairman of the Authority;
3. (d) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of the Authority appointed under section 10;
4. (e) "Fund" means fund of the Authority;
5. (f) “Government” means Government of Karnataka;
6. (g) „Sarvajna Kshetra‟ means the whole of the area comprising the sites specified in the Schedule but excluding the area referred to as protected area under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 (Central Act 24 of 1958) and such other areas declared by the State Government, by notification;
7. (h) "Member" means a member of the Authority;
   • (i) "Regulations" means regulations of the Authority made under section 42; and
8. (j) "Schedule'' means the schedule appended to this Act. CHAPTER – II AUTHORITY AND ITS EMPLOYEES

(1) The State Government shall as soon as may be, after the commencement of this Act, constitute for the purposes of this Act, the Authority called the Sarvajna Kshetra Development Authority. (2) The Authority shall have its headquarters at such place as may be determined by the Authority from time to time. (3) The Authority shall be a body corporate by the name aforesaid, having perpetual succession and a common seal with power to acquire, hold and dispose of property, both movable and immovable, and enter into contract, and shall by the said name, sue and be sued. (4) The Authority shall consist of the following members, namely: - 1[(a) The Chief Minister or Revenue Minister or any other Minister as chosen by the Chief Minister - Ex-officio Chairman.] (b) The Minister in charge of Haveri District who shall be the Vice Chairman; (c) The Minister in charge of Kannada and Culture- Member (d) The Minister in charge of Revenue - Member (e) The Minister in charge of Finance. - Member (f) The Minister in charge of Tourism. - Member (g) The Minister in charge of Public Works . - Member (h) The Members of the Loksabha and Legislative Assembly who are representing the part or whole of Sarvajna Kshetra and Members of the Rajyababha and Legislative Council who are registered as voter in Sarvajna Kshetra. - Members (i) The Principal Secretary or Secretary to Government, Kannada and Culture Department. - Ex-officio Member (j) The Principal Secretary or Secretary to Government, Revenue Department. - Ex-officio Member (k) The Additional Chief Secretary or Principal Secretary or Secretary to Government, Finance Department. - Ex-officio Member (l) The Principal Secretary or Secretary to Government, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department. - Ex-officio Member (m) The Principal Secretary or Secretary to Government, Public Works Department. - Ex-officio Member (n) The Regional Commissioner of Belgavi Region. - Ex-officio Member (o) The Deputy Commissioner of the Haveri District - Ex-officio Member (p) The Director, Department of Archaeology and Museums - Ex-officio Member (q) The Joint Director, Karnataka Land Army Corporation - Ex-officio Member (r) The Chief Executive Officer, Zilla Panchayat, Haveri. - Ex-officio Member (s) The Executive Engineer, Public Works Department, Haveri - Ex-officio Member (t) The President, Grama Panchayats of Abalur and Masur - Ex-officio Member (u) Not exceeding Three non-official members nominated by the State Government - Non-official Members (v) Not exceeding five persons who are expert in history and heritage of servajna to be nominated by the State Government - Non-official Members (w) The Commissioner of the Authority . - Member Secretary. 1. Substituted by Act 50 of 2025 w.e.f . 09.09.2025

Authority.

1. (2) The Authority shall have its headquarters at such place as may be determined by the Authority from time to time.
2. (3) The Authority shall be a body corporate by the name aforesaid, having perpetual succession and a common seal with power to acquire, hold and dispose of property, both movable and immovable, and enter into contract, and shall by the said name, sue and be sued.
3. (4) The Authority shall consist of the following members, namely: -

1[(a) The Chief Minister or Revenue Minister or any other Minister as chosen by the Chief Minister - Ex-officio Chairman.]

1. (b) The Minister in charge of Haveri District who shall be the Vice Chairman;
2. (c) The Minister in charge of Kannada and Culture- Member
3. (d) The Minister in charge of Revenue - Member
4. (e) The Minister in charge of Finance. - Member
5. (f) The Minister in charge of Tourism. - Member
6. (g) The Minister in charge of Public Works . - Member
7. (h) The Members of the Loksabha and Legislative Assembly who are representing the part or whole of Sarvajna Kshetra and Members of the Rajyababha and Legislative Council who are registered as voter in Sarvajna Kshetra. - Members
   • (i) The Principal Secretary or Secretary to

Government, Kannada and Culture Department. - Ex-officio Member

1. (j) The Principal Secretary or Secretary to

Government, Revenue Department. - Ex-officio Member

1. (k) The Additional Chief Secretary or Principal Secretary or Secretary to

Government, Finance Department. - Ex-officio Member

1. (l) The Principal Secretary or Secretary to Government, Rural Development and

Panchayat Raj Department. - Ex-officio Member

1. (m) The Principal Secretary or Secretary to

Government, Public Works Department. - Ex-officio Member

1. (n) The Regional Commissioner of Belgavi Region. - Ex-officio Member
2. (o) The Deputy Commissioner of the

Haveri District - Ex-officio Member

1. (p) The Director, Department of Archaeology

and Museums - Ex-officio Member

1. (q) The Joint Director, Karnataka Land Army Corporation - Ex-officio Member
2. (r) The Chief Executive Officer, Zilla Panchayat,

Haveri. - Ex-officio Member

1. (s) The Executive Engineer, Public Works Department, Haveri - Ex-officio Member
2. (t) The President, Grama Panchayats of

Abalur and Masur - Ex-officio Member

1. (u) Not exceeding Three non-official members

nominated by the State Government - Non-official Members

1. (v) Not exceeding five persons who are expert in history and heritage of servajna to be

nominated by the State Government - Non-official Members

1. (w) The Commissioner of the Authority . - Member Secretary.

¹ Substituted by Act 50 of 2025 w.e.f . 09.09.2025

(1) Subject to the pleasure of the State Government the non-official members nominated by the State Government shall hold office for a period of three years. (2) Any non-official member may resign his office by writing under his hand addressed to the State Government but shall continue in office until his resignation is accepted. (3) The non-official members shall receive such allowance as may be prescribed.

1. (2) Any non-official member may resign his office by writing under his hand addressed to the State Government but shall continue in office until his resignation is accepted.
2. (3) The non-official members shall receive such allowance as may be prescribed.

Non-official members shall be disqualified for being appointed as and for being a member if he,- (a) has been convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for an offence, which in the opinion of the State Government involves moral turpitude; or (b) is of unsound mind and stands so declared by a competent court; or (c) is an undischarged insolvent; or (d) has been removed or dismissed from service of the Central Government or a State Government or a body or corporation owned or controlled by the Central Government or a State Government; or (e) has directly or indirectly by himself or as partner, has any share or interest in any work done by the order of the Authority in any contract or employment with or under or by or on behalf of the Authority; or (f) is employed as a paid legal practitioner on behalf of the Authority or accepts employment as legal practitioner against the Authority; Provided that no person shall be disqualified under clause (e) or be deemed to have any share or interest in any contract or employment within the meaning of the said clause by reason only of his having a share or interest in any newspaper in which any advertisement relating to the affairs of the Authority is inserted.

1. (a) has been convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for an offence, which in the opinion of the State Government involves moral turpitude; or
2. (b) is of unsound mind and stands so declared by a competent court; or
3. (c) is an undischarged insolvent; or
4. (d) has been removed or dismissed from service of the Central Government or a State Government or a body or corporation owned or controlled by the Central Government or a State Government; or
5. (e) has directly or indirectly by himself or as partner, has any share or

interest in any work done by the order of the Authority in any contract or employment with or under or by or on behalf of the Authority; or

1. (f) is employed as a paid legal practitioner on behalf of the Authority or accepts employment as legal practitioner against the Authority; Provided that no person shall be disqualified under clause (e) or be deemed to have any share or interest in any contract or employment within the meaning of the said clause by reason only of his having a share or interest in any newspaper in which any advertisement relating to the affairs of the Authority is inserted.

The State Government shall remove a non-official member if,-

1. (a) he becomes subject to any of the disqualifications mentioned in section 5:
2. (b) he refuses to act or becomes incapable of acting; or
3. (c) he without obtaining leave of absence from the Authority absents from three consecutive meetings of the Authority:
4. (d) in the opinion of the State Government he has so abused his position as to render his continuance in office detrimental to the public interest:

Eligibility for reappointment.- Any person ceasing to be a member shall unless removed under section 6, be eligible for re-appointment as a member.

1. (1) The Authority shall have power generally to do anything that in its opinion is necessary to do, to give effect to the intent and provisions of this Act: Provided that nothing contained in this section shall be deemed to authorize the Authority to perform any such act as is specifically laid in the Act to be performed by any other authority. (2) Without prejudice to the generality of sub-section (1), the Authority shall have power,- (a) to enter into and perform all such contracts as it may consider necessary or expedient for carrying out any of the purposes of this Act subject to such rules as may be prescribed and every contract shall be made on behalf of the Authority by the Commissioner: Provided that no contract involving expenditure of rupees five lakhs and more shall be made without the previous sanction of the State Government; (b) to borrow any sum required for the purposes of this Act from time to time with the previous sanction of the State Government and subject to such conditions as may be prescribed in this behalf; (c) to lease, sell or otherwise transfer any movable or immovable property which belongs to it and to appropriate or apply any land vested in or acquired by it, subject to section 38 and 39 and to such restrictions, conditions and limitations as may be prescribed, for the formation of open spaces or for building purposes or in any other manner for the purpose of a development scheme with prior approval of the State Government.

do anything that in its opinion is necessary to do, to give effect to the intent and provisions of this Act: Provided that nothing contained in this section shall be deemed to authorize the Authority to perform any such act as is specifically laid in the Act to be performed by any other authority.

1. (2) Without prejudice to the generality of sub-section (1), the Authority shall have power,-
   • (a) to enter into and perform all such contracts as it may consider necessary or expedient for carrying out any of the purposes of this Act subject to such rules

as may be prescribed and every contract shall be made on behalf of the Authority by the Commissioner: Provided that no contract involving expenditure of rupees five lakhs and more shall be made without the previous sanction of the State Government;

1. (b) to borrow any sum required for the purposes of this Act from time to time with the previous sanction of the State Government and subject to such conditions as may be prescribed in this behalf;
2. (c) to lease, sell or otherwise transfer any movable or immovable property which belongs to it and to appropriate or apply any land vested in or acquired by it, subject to section 38 and 39 and to such restrictions, conditions and limitations as may be prescribed, for the formation of open spaces or for building purposes or in any other manner for the purpose of a development scheme with prior approval of the State Government.

(1) The Authority may for any specific purpose constitute one or more sub-committees consisting of the Commissioner as the Chairman and such other members not exceeding five on each sub-committee. Any subject deliberated and decided in the sub-committee shall be placed before the meeting of the authority for approval or rejection. The decision may be remanded back to the sub-committee.

1. (2) The sub-committees shall exercise such of the powers and perform such duties of the Authority, which are delegated to them by the Authority.
2. (3) Each sub-committee shall meet at-least once in three months and shall observe such rules of procedure in regard to the transaction of business at its meeting as may be provided by regulations.

(1) The State Government shall appoint an officer not below the rank of a Deputy Secretary to Government, to be the Commissioner of the Authority.

1. (2) The Commissioner shall receive such salary and other allowances as the

State Government may, from time to time, determine. The conditions of service of the Commissioner shall be governed by the Karnataka Civil Service Rules.

1. (3) The State Government may, from time to time, grant leave of absence for such period as it thinks fit to the Commissioner.

(1) The Commissioner shall be the Chief Executive and Administrative Officer of the Authority. (2) The Commissioner shall, in addition to performing such functions as conferred on him by or under this Act or under any law for the time being in force,- (a) Implement the resolutions of the Authority; (b) conduct the business of the Authority and to make the correspondence; (c) carry out and execute such schemes and works as the Government may direct and incur necessary expenditure thereof; (d) be responsible for implementing the schemes of the Authority; (e) operate the Bank accounts of the Authority and be responsible for maintaining the accounts of the Authority ; (f) exercise supervision and control over the officers and servants of the Authority in matters of executive, administrative and service conditions of such officers and servants and regulation of their pay and allowances; (g) furnish to the State Government the copies of the minutes of the Authority and any written, or other information which the State Government may, from time to time, call for; (h) discharge such other functions which are conferred on him by or under this Act or any other law for the time being in force.

1. (2) The Commissioner shall, in addition to performing such functions as conferred on him by or under this Act or under any law for the time being in force,-
   • (a) Implement the resolutions of the Authority;
   • (b) conduct the business of the Authority and to make the correspondence;
   • (c) carry out and execute such schemes and works as the Government may direct and incur necessary expenditure thereof;
   • (d) be responsible for implementing the schemes of the Authority;
   • (e) operate the Bank accounts of the Authority and be responsible for

maintaining the accounts of the Authority ;

1. (f) exercise supervision and control over the officers and servants of the Authority in matters of executive, administrative and service conditions of such officers and servants and regulation of their pay and allowances;
2. (g) furnish to the State Government the copies of the minutes of the Authority and any written, or other information which the State Government may, from time to time, call for;
3. (h) discharge such other functions which are conferred on him by or under this Act or any other law for the time being in force.

(1) Subject to such rules as may be prescribed, the Authority may appoint such number of employees as it may find necessary for effective implementation of the Act: Provided that, the State Government shall appoint a Controller of Finance and Accounts not below the rank of Group 'A' Junior Scale Officer' on deputation from the Karnataka State Audit and Accounts Service.

1. (2) The Controller of Finance and Accounts shall report to the Commissioner and shall ensure that financial rules are followed and accounts are kept up to date, by presenting a true and fair picture of the financial affairs of the Authority.
2. (3) The method of recruitment, salaries, allowances and other conditions of service of the employees referred to in sub-section (1), shall be such as may be prescribed.
3. (4) The Commissioner shall be the appointing authority in respect of employees of the Authority and shall exercise general control and supervision over the personnel of the Authority.

No person who has directly or indirectly by himself or through his partner or through his agent, has any share or interest in any contract, by or on behalf of the

Meetings of the Authority.- (1) Meetings of the Authority shall be convened by the Commissioner, with the previous approval of the Chairman at such intervals as the Chairman may deem fit and shall be held at such place, as may be determined by the Chairman: Provided that the Authority shall meet at least twice in a calendar year.

1. (2) Every meeting shall be presided over by the Chairman and if for any reason the Chairman is unable to attend any meeting, the Vice Chairman shall preside over the meeting. If, for any reason the Vice Chairman is unable to attend the meeting, any other member chosen by the members present at the meeting, shall preside over the meeting.
2. (3) Decisions of the Authority shall be, by unanimous affirmative vote of the

members present and voting. If there is any difference of opinion on any particular subject coming for decision before the Authority, the Commissioner shall refer the matter to the State Government and the decision of the State Government in such matters shall be final.

1. (4) The Commissioner of the Authority shall give effect to the decisions of the Authority: Provided that, if in the opinion of the Commissioner any resolution of the

Authority contravenes any provision of this Act or any other law or of any rule or notification or regulation made or issued under this Act or any other law or of any order passed by the State Government or is prejudicial or detrimental to the interests of the Authority or the development and maintenance of the site, he shall within fifteen days of the passing of the resolution, refer the matter to the State Government for orders thereon and inform the Authority at its next meeting, of the action taken by him and until orders of the State Government on receipt of such reference, the Commissioner shall not be bound to give effect to such resolution.

1. (5) The Authority may by regulation specify the procedure with regard to the transaction of business at its meetings, not inconsistent with the provisions of this

Proceedings presumed to be good and valid.- No disqualification of or defect in the appointment of any person acting as Chairman, Vice-Chairman or member shall be deemed to vitiate any act or proceeding of the Authority if such act or proceeding is otherwise in accordance with the provisions of this Act.

(1) The Chairman may direct that any case may, instead of being brought up for discussion at a meeting of the Authority, be circulated by sending a note in the prescribed form amongst the members of the Authority for opinion. If all the members unanimously agree for the proposal contained in the note circulated, it shall be deemed to be affirmative decision of the Authority and further action taken accordingly. If there is any difference of opinion on any particular subject taken up for the decision of the Authority by circulation, the Commissioner shall refer the matter to the State Government, and the decision of the State Government thereon shall be final. (2) In cases which are circulated for opinion under sub-section (1), if any member fails to communicate his opinion to the Commissioner by a date to be specified in the note, it shall be presumed that such member has accepted the proposal contained in the note circulated. (3) The provisions of section 14 shall mutatis mutandis apply to the decisions of the Authority by circulation under this section. (4) The Contents of the note for circulation made under sub-section(1) shall be prescribed.

1. (2) In cases which are circulated for opinion under sub-section (1), if any member fails to communicate his opinion to the Commissioner by a date to be specified in the note, it shall be presumed that such member has accepted the proposal contained in the note circulated.
2. (3) The provisions of section 14 shall mutatis mutandis apply to the decisions of the Authority by circulation under this section.
3. (4) The Contents of the note for circulation made under sub-section(1) shall be prescribed.

Where the Chairman is of the opinion that a matter is so urgent that it cannot wait or that a matter is so frivolous, not necessitating convening of a meeting of the Authority, under section 14 or for decision of the Authority by circulation under section 16, he may pass such orders as he may deem fit and it shall be implemented in the same manner as the decisions of the Authority: Provided that every decision so taken by the Chairman under this section shall be placed before the Authority at its next meeting. CHAPTER – III DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF SARVAJNA KSHETRA

CHAPTER – III DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF SARVAJNA KSHETRA

(1) Notwithstanding any custom, tradition, practice or terms of any trust created and subsisting under any law for the time being in force, the full control, ownership, management and superintendence of all or any of the heritage sites specified in the Schedule if not already vested in the State Government shall if required, be acquired by the State Government in accordance with the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (Central Act No. 30 of 2013) and such land shall thereafter be transferred to the Authority from the date notified by the State Government: Provided that the land acquired under this Act shall be deemed to have been acquired for public purpose under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (Central Act 30 of 2013).

1. (2) The State Government may by general or special order make transitory provisions, if in the opinion of the State Government it is expedient to do so.

The State Government may by notification amend the Schedule by adding or modifying any entry therein, after following such procedure as may be prescribed.

The Authority shall, as soon as may be, after its constitution prepare a plan for the development and maintenance of Sarvajna Kshetra into international piligrim, cultural and tourist centre and a centre for deliberation and propagation of the tenets of poet Sarvajna. The Development plan may include,-

1. (a) Conservation and restoration of any heritage site or structure and programmes for its maintenance and reconstruction;
2. (b) proposals for acquiring land by acquisition or purchase, exchange or otherwise, which in the opinion of the Authority is necessary for execution of the development plan;
3. (c) putting up public parks, horticultural or zoological gardens, fountains, artificial water falls, game parks, lakes with boating or other water games or such other tourist attractions;
4. (d) construction of choultries, lodging houses, cottages, hotels, restaurants and boarding houses to cater to different classes of tourists;
5. (e) construction of necessary shopping line or shopping complexes;
6. (f) provision of amenities as defined in clause (a) of section 2 and providing drainage, electricity and water supply and sanitation;
7. (g) raising any land which the Authority may consider expedient to facilitate its plan of action in general and for better drainage in particular;
8. (h) forming open spaces for the better ventilation of the area comprised in

the Sarvajna Kshetra in any adjoining area;

1. (i) construction and reconstruction of buildings, their maintenance and preservation;

1. (j) undertake development works in the area of Sarvajna Kshetra or the area decided by the Authority;
2. (k) providing facilities for communication and transport;
3. (l) such adjustments and agreements with the existing religious institutions in the geographical area of developmental plan which can be allowed to continue so long as they fit into the scheme of the development plan;
4. (m) any other matter which in the opinion of the Authority, is expedient and incidental, to develop and maintain the Sarvajna Kshetra as a cultural centre, place of pilgrimage and International Tourist Center and a centre for deliberation not only of Sarvajna but also of his contemporaries and disciples; and to protect and develop other places of importance connected with the life and teachings of Sarvajna and his contemporaries, and research centre for studies and specialized library on the subject;
5. (n) excavation and exploration of archaeological nature to unearth ancient monuments if any believed to be buried in any of the historical and heritage sites within the territorial limits of the Authority: Provided that nothing contained in this clause shall be deemed to override the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 (Central Act 24 of 1958).

1. (2) The development plan prepared under sub-section (1) shall be forwarded by the Commissioner to the State Government for its approval. The State Government may approve the plan with or without any modifications.
2. (3) After approval of the development plan under sub-section (2), the State Government may, on the recommendations of the Authority make such modifications to the plan as it deems necessary, from time to time.
3. (4) The Authority shall have power to undertake works and incur expenditure for the execution of the development plan approved by the State

Maintenance of Sarvajna Kshetra.- The State Government may by rules on the recommendation of the Authority or otherwise make provision for the maintenance of Sarvajna Kshetra which shall include the manner in which the properties of the Authority including the heritage sites can be employed, the rates, fees or other charges that can be collected from the devotees, piligrims, tourists and other visitors for the various facilities that they could make use of and for such other matters as may be expedient from the premises of the heritage sites; power to recover rent or damages as arrears of land revenue etc.

Authority.- Notwithstanding anything contained in the Karnataka Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1961 (Karnataka Act 7 of 1962) the State Government may by notification delegate any of its powers to be exercisable by it except power to make rules to the

Authority and on the issuance of such notification the Authority shall have such powers and perform such functions as may be specified in the notification.

(Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1974 to the Authority Premises.- (1) Subject to the provisions of sub-section (2) the State Government, may by notification provide from such date as may be specified in the notification that the Karnataka Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1974 (Karnataka Act 32 of 1974) shall apply to premises belonging to, vesting in, or leased by the Authority as that Act applies in relation to public premises.

1. (2) On a notification being issued under sub-section (1), the aforesaid Act, and the rules made thereunder shall apply to the premises of the Authority with the following modifications, that is to say,-
   • (a) the State Government may appoint any officer of the State Government or of the Authority as it thinks fit, to be the competent officer for the purposes of the aforesaid Act; and
   • (b) reference to Public Premises in that Act and those rules shall be deemed to be references to premises of the Authority and references to the State Government in sections 6,7,8,14, 15, 16 and 17 of that Act shall be deemed to be references to the

No other authority or person to undertake development without permission of the Authority.- (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any law for the time being in force, except with the previous permission of the Authority no authority or person shall undertake any development within Sarvajna Kshetra of the types as the Authority may from time to time specify by notification published in the Official Gazette.

1. (2) No local authority shall grant permission for any development referred to in sub-section (1), within Sarvajna Kshetra, unless the Authority has granted permission for such development.
2. (3) Any authority or person desiring to undertake development referred in sub-section (1) shall apply in writing to the Authority for permission to undertake such development.
3. (4) The Authority may, after making such inquiry as it deem necessary grant such permission with or without conditions, as it may deem fit to impose or refuse to grant such permission.
4. (5) Any authority or person aggrieved by the decision of the Authority under sub-section (4) may, within thirty days from the date of the decision, appeal against such decision to the State Government, whose decision thereon shall be final: Provided that, where the aggrieved authority submitting such appeal is under the administrative control of the Central Government, the appeal shall be decided by the State Government, after consultation with the Central Government.

Authority may organize programmes and activities for promotion of tourism, cultural, historical and pilgrimage importance-to give wider publicity to the heritage sites. Such programmes may include,-

1. (a) Sarvajna Jayanthi Utsava;
2. (b) Sarvajna Sahityotsava;
3. (c) Art Exhibitions and Sales;
4. (d) Seminars, Symposia, workshops; and
5. (e) Annual Fairs and Festivals of special nature.

(1) The State Government, may by notification, delegate any of the powers conferred on it by or under this Act, to any other authority, except the power to make rules under section 41. (2) The Authority may by regulations, delegate any of the powers conferred on it by or under this Act to the Commissioner or other officers of the Authority except the power to make regulations under section 42.

1. (2) The Authority may by regulations, delegate any of the powers conferred on it by or under this Act to the Commissioner or other officers of the Authority except the power to make regulations under section 42.

(1) There shall be a Fund called Sarvajna Kshetra Development Authority Fund.

1. (2) There shall be credited to the said Fund,-
   • (i) all grants, subventions, donations and gifts made by the Central Government, State Government, any local authority or any body, whether incorporated or not or any person;
   • (ii) the amount borrowed by the Authority; and
   • (iii) all other sums received by or on behalf of the Authority from any source whatsoever.
2. (3) Except as otherwise directed by the State Government all moneys credited to the Fund shall be invested in any Scheduled Bank or in the State Government Treasury.
3. (4) The administrative expenses of the Authority including the salaries, allowances and pension if any, payable to the Commissioner and other officer and employees of the Authority shall be defrayed out of the fund of the Authority.

The Fund and all property held or vested in the Authority shall be applied for carrying out the purposes of this Act.

The State Government may every year make a grant to the Authority of a sum equivalent to the administrative expenses of the Authority, until the Authority reaches self maintenance stage out of its own resources.

(1) The Authority shall prepare every year, before such date and in such form as may be prescribed, a budget estimate of its income and expenditure for the financial year to commence on the first day of April next following and shall forward it to the State Government for sanction. The Authority may also prepare supplementary Budget Estimates, during the course of any financial year, if necessary.

1. (2) The State Government shall approve the Budget Estimates and Supplementary Budget Estimates with or without modifications.
2. (3) In cases of extreme urgency, the Commissioner shall be competent to incur expenditure not exceeding five lakhs of rupees in a financial year, notwithstanding the fact that such expenditure has not been included in the annual or Supplementary Budget Estimate approved by the State Government under sub-section (2).
3. (4) The Commissioner shall also have power to reappropriate funds from one unit of expenditure to another unit, subject to a maximum of rupees one lakh at a time.

(1) The Commissioner shall cause to be maintained such books of accounts and other registers as may be prescribed and shall prepare in the prescribed manner an annual statement of accounts.

1. (2) The financial year of the Authority shall commence on 1st day of April of each calendar year and shall end on 31st day of March of the succeeding calendar year.
2. (3) The accounts of the Authority shall be audited annually by the Principal

Controller, State Audit and Accounts Department. The Authority or the State

Government may order concurrent and special audits also.

1. (4) The auditor shall, for the purposes of the audit, have access to all the accounts and other records of the Authority.
2. (5) As soon as may be after the receipt of the annual statement of accounts and the report of the auditor, the Authority shall consider it in its meeting and send a copy of the annual statement of accounts together with a copy of the report of the auditor to the State Government, along with its explanation on the comments made by the auditor, if any, and a statement of action taken by the Authority to remedy the irregularities or loopholes, if any, pointed out by the auditor.
3. (6) The State Government may after perusal of the report of the auditor, and other documents submitted to it, as in sub-section (5), give such directions as it thinks fit to the Authority and the Authority shall comply with such directions.

(1) The Authority shall prepare an Annual Report of its working for each financial year and submit it to the State Government along with other reports under section 31.

1. (2) The Authority shall before such date, in such form and at such intervals as may be prescribed, submit the prescribed reports to the State Government and the State Government shall cause such reports be laid before each House of the State Legislature.

The Authority shall not sell any land within its jurisdiction for any purpose and to any person except with the prior approval of the Government.

All members, officers and servants of the Authority, shall be deemed, when acting or purporting to act in pursuance of any of the provisions of this Act, to be public servants within the meaning of section 21 of the Indian Penal Code.

No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding shall lie against any person for anything which is in good faith done or purported to be done under this Act.

(1) If the State Government is satisfied that the Authority has made default in performing any duty imposed on it by or under this Act, it may fix a period for the performance of that duty.

1. (2) If in the opinion of the State Government, the Authority fails or neglects to perform such duty within the period so fixed for its performance, it shall be lawful for the State Government to direct the Authority to rectify the defaults.

(1) The State Government may by notification, declare that with effect from such date as may be specified in the notification, the Authority shall be dissolved: Provided that no such declaration shall be made by the State Government unless, a resolution to that effect has been moved in and passed by both Houses of the State Legislature.

1. (2) With effect from the date specified in the notification under sub-section (1),-
   • (a) all properties, funds and dues which are vested in and realizable by the Authority shall vest in and be realizable by the State Government.
   • (b) all liabilities enforceable against the Authority shall be enforceable against the State Government to the extent of the properties, funds and dues vested in and realized by the State Government.

(1) The State Government shall have general administrative control and supervision over all the activities and affairs of the Authority.

1. (2) The State Government may call for the records of any proceedings of the Authority, the Commissioner or any officer subordinate to the Authority, for the purpose of satisfying itself as to the correctness, legality or propriety of such proceedings and may pass such order with respect thereto as it thinks fit.

The State Government may give such directions to the Authority as in its opinion are necessary or expedient for carrying out the purpose of this Act and it shall be the duty of the

Removal of difficulties.- If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of this Act, the State Government may by notification, make such provisions not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, as appear to it to be necessary or expedient for removing the difficulty:

Power to make rules.- (1) The State Government may, by notification after previous publication make rules to carry out the purposes of this Act.

1. (2) Every rule or notification made under this Act shall be laid as soon as may be after it is made, before each House of the State Legislature while it is in session, for a total period of thirty days which may be comprised in one session or in two or more successive sessions and if before the expiry of the session immediately following the session or the successive sessions aforesaid, both Houses

agree in making any modification in the rule or notification or both Houses agree that the rule should not be made, the rule or notification shall, from the date on which the modification or annulment is notified have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect as the case may be; so, however, that any such modification or annulment shall be without, prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that rule or notification.

The Authority may subject to the provisions of this Act and the rules made under section 41 and with the previous sanction of the State Government, by notification make regulations to carry out the purposes of this Act.

Sarvajna Kshetra, Heritage centers and Monuments No Places 1. Abalur 2. Masur 3. Hirekerur 4. Other Places in Haveri District which in the opinion of the Authority provide connectivity to the above places. The above translation of ಸರ್ವಜ್ಞ ಕ್ಷ ೇತ್ರ ಅಭಿವೃದ್ಧಿ ಪ್ರರ ಧಿಕಾರ ಅಧಿನಿಯಮ, 2020 (2020 ರ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಅಧಿನಿಯಮ ಸಂಖ್ಯೆ: 38) be published in the Official Gazette under clause (3) of article 348 of the Constitution of India. VAJUBHAI VALA GOVERNOR OF KARNATAKA By Order and in the name of the Governor of Karnataka, (K. DWARAKANATH BABU) Secretary to Government Department of Parliamentary Affairs and Legislation KARNATAKA ACT NO.50 OF 2025 (First Published in the Karnataka Gazette Extra-ordinary on the 9 th day of September, 2025) THE SARVAJNA KSHETRA DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (AMENDMENT) ACT, 2025 (Received the assent of the Governor on the 9 th day of September, 2025) An Act further to amend the Sarvajna Kshetra Development Authority Act, 2020. Whereas it is expedient to amend the Sarvajna Kshetra Development Authority Act, 2020 (Karnataka Act No. 38 of 2020) for the purpose hereinafter appearing: Be it enacted by the Karnataka State Legislature in the Seventy sixth year of the Republic of India as follows :- 1. Short title and commencement.- (1) This Act may be called the Sarvajna Kshetra Development Authority (Amendment) Act, 2025. (2) it shall come into force at once. 2. Amendment of section 3.- In the Sarvajna Kshetra Development Authority Act, 2020 (Karnataka Act No. 38 of 2020), in section 3, in sub- section (4), for clause (a), the following shall be substituted, namely:- “(a) The Chief Minister or Revenue Minister or any other Minister as chosen by the Chief Minister - Ex-officio Chairman”. The above translation of ಸರ್ಾಜ್ಞ ಕ್ಷ ೇತ್ರ ಅಭಿವೃದ್ಧಿ ಪ್ರರ ಧಿಕಾರ (ತಿದ್ದು ಪಡಿ) ಅಧಿನಿಯಮ, 2025 (2025 ರ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಅಧಿನಿಯಮ ಸಂಖ್ಯೆ: 50) be published in the official Gazette under clause (3) of Article 348 of the constitution of India. THAAWARCHAND GEHLOT GOVERNOR OF KARANATAKA By Order and in the name of the Governor of Karnataka, G. SRIDHAR Secretary to Government Department of Parliamentary Affairs and Legislation