Shree Chamundeshwari Kshetra Development Authority Act, 2024

Short title and commencement.-

1. (1) This Act may be called Shree Chamundeshwari Kshetra Development Authority Act, 2024.
2. (2) It extends to the area of Shree Chamundeshwari Kshetra as defined in clause
   • (j) of section (2).
3. (3) It shall come into force from such date as the State Government may, by notification in the official Gazzette appoint and different dates may be appointed for different provisions of the Act.

Definitions.- In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,-

1. (a) "Amenity" includes roads, streets, sub-ways, lighting, drainage, sanitation, electricity and water supply or other convenience, public works, market places, post office, bank. hospitals, dispensary, police station, fair price shop. milk booth, library, recreation centers, service stations of any public utility service authorised by the Authority or other facility; and such other amenity as the State Government may, by notification, specify;
2. (b) "Authority" means Shree Chamundeshwari Kshetra Development Authority constituted under section 3;
3. (c) "Chairman" means the Chairman of the Authority;
4. (d) "Committee" means the District Level committee and the State Level Monitoring Committee constituted under section 18;
5. (e) "Fund" means fund of the Authority;
6. (f) "Member" means a member of the Authority;
7. (g) "Regulations" means regulations of the Authority made under section 39;
8. (h) "Rules" means rules of the Authority made under section 38;
   • (i) "Secretary" means the Secretary of the Authority appointed under section 10; and
9. (j) "Shree Chamundeshwari Kshetra" means and includes Shree Chamundeshwari temple and all the group temples attached thereto in Chamundeshwari Hills, Mysuru taluk in Mysuru district, the entire area of Chamundeshwari Hills and lands acquired by the Government from time to time for development of Shree Chamundeshwari temple and such other area declared by the State Government, by notification.

Establishment of the Authority.-

1. (1) As soon as may be, after the commencement of this Act, there shall be established for the purposes of this Act, an Authority called Shree Chamundeshwari Kshetra Development Authority.
2. (2) The Authority shall have its headquarters at Shree Chamundeshwari Temple in Mysuru taluk, Mysuru district.
3. (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 to contract and shall by the said name sue and be sued.
4. (4) The Authority shall consist of the following members namely:-
   • (a) the Chief Minister Ex-officio Chairman
   • (b) the Minister in charge of Hindu Religious Institutions and charitable Endowments Department Ex-officio Vice Chairman
   • (c) the Minister in charge of the District Ex-officio Vice Chairman
   • (d) the Minister in charge of Tourism Ex-officio Vice Chairman
   • (e) the legal descendant of royal family of Maharaja of Mysuru or their representative Permanent Member
   • (f) the Members of Parliament and the Members of the State Legislature representing a part or whole of Shree Chamundeshwari kshetra whose electoral constituencies lie within the limits of it Ex-officio Members
   • (g) Not more than five members nominated by the State Government from among the leading personalities having wide knowledge about the historical background and mythology of Shree Chamundeshwari kshetra out of whom at least one shall belong to the Scheduled Castes or the Scheduled Tribes and one shall be a woman. Members
   • (h) the Chief Engineer (Communication and Building) Public Works Department or his representative Ex-officio Member
     • (i) the Secretary to Government, Finance Department or his representative not below the rank of the Deputy Secretary to Government Ex-officio Member
   • (j) the Secretary to Government, Revenue Department (Muzrai) or his representative not below the rank of the Deputy Secretary to Government Ex-officio Member
   • (k) the Commissioner Hindu Religious Institution and Charitable Endowment Ex-officio Member
   • (l) the Deputy Commissioner, Mysuru district Ex-officio Member
   • (m) the Chief Executive Officer, Zilla Panchayath. Mysuru district Ex-officio Member
   • (n) the Director, Department of Archaeology and Museums, Mysuru Ex-officio Member
   • (o) the Chief Priest Shree Chamundeshwari Temple, Mysuru Ex-officio Member
   • (p) the Secretary of the Authority Ex-officio Member - Secretary

Term of office and conditions of services.-

1. (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. (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. (3) The non-official members shall receive such allowances as may be prescribed.

Disqualification for membership.- A person 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 mental illness 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 or 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

1. (e) of sub-section

1. (1) 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.

Removal of member.-

1. (1) The State Government shall remove a member if,-
   • (a) he becomes subject to any of the disqualifications mentioned in section 5: Provided that, no member shall be removed on the ground that he has become subject to the disqualification mentioned in clause
   • (e) of sub-section
2. (1) of that section. unless he has been given an opportunity of making his representation against the proposal: or
   • (b) he refuses to act or become incapable of acting: or
   • (c) he without informing the Authority absents from three consecutive meetings of the Authority: or
   • (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 Eligibility for reappointment.- Any person ceasing to be a member shall unless disqualified under section 5, be eligible for re-appointment as a member.

Powers of the Authority.-

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, except such acts as are specifically laid in the Act to be performed by other authorities.
2. (2) Without prejudice to the generality of sub-section
3. (1) the Authority shall have power 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 Secretary: Provided that, a copy of every contract involving expenditure of rupees ten lakhs or more shall be sent to the State Government"; and
4. (3) A compliance report shall be submitted to the State Government in this behalf.
5. (4) The Authority may approve a scheme for adoption of “C” category temples as notified under the provisions of the Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act, 1997 and may specify necessary provisions for the said adoption.

Sub-committee of the Authority.-

1. (1) The Authority may for any specific purpose constitute a sub- committee consisting of the Secretary as Chairman and such other members not exceeding five among the members of the Authority.
2. (2) The sub-committee shall exercise such of the powers and perform such duties of the Authority which are delegated by the Authority.
3. (3) The sub-committee shall meet at-least once in a month and shall observe such rules of procedure into the transaction of business at its meeting as may be provided by regulations.

Appointment of Secretary.-

1. (1) The State Government shall appoint an officer from the cadre of Group A Senior scale Officer of Karnataka Government Secretariat Service /Karnataka Administrative Services (Super Time Scale) / Group A Senior scale Officer of Endowment Department as the Secretary of the Authority and a Group ‘B’ Officer of the Endowment Department as the Deputy Secretary of the Authority.
2. (2) The Secretary and other officers shall receive such salary and other allowances as the State Government may, from time to time, determine.
3. (3) The State Government may, from time to time, grant leave of absence for such period as it thinks fit to the Secretary.

Powers and duties of the Secretary.-

1. (1) The Secretary shall be the Chief Executive and Administrative Officer of the Authority.
2. (2) The Secretary shall, in addition to performing such functions as are conferred on him by or under this Act or under any law for the time being in force,-
   • (a) carry into effect the resolutions of the Authority;
   • (b) conduct the business of the Authority and keep correspondence;
   • (c) carry out and execute such schemes and works as the State Government may direct and incur necessary expenditure there for;
   • (d) implement the schemes of the Authority;
   • (e) operate the accounts of the Authority and be responsible for the maintenance of the accounts of the Authority;
   • (f) exercise supervision and control over the officers and employees of the Authority in matters of executive, administration and service conditions of such officers and employees and regulation of their pay and allowances;
   • (g) furnish to the State Government a copy of the minutes of the proceedings of the Authority and any return, or other information which the State Government may, from time to time, call for; and
   • (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.

Employees of the Authority.- -

1. (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, until the State Government frame rules, under this Act, the method of recruitment and conditions of service of the employees including Archaks working in Shree Chamundeshwari Temple of the Authority shall be continued to be governed under the provisions of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1997 (Karnataka Act 33 of 2001) and the rules made there under. Provided further that, the State Government shall appoint an Executive Engineer on deputation from the Public Works Department for maintenance of works taken up by the Authority and the State Government shall also appoint an Advisor of Finance and Accounts not below the rank of Group 'A' Junior Scale Officer on deputation from the Karnataka State Audit and Accounts Department and other officers from other departments as may be necessary.
2. (2) The Executive Engineer shall be responsible for the overall monitoring of progress review of repair works, policy decisions, introduction of new technology, Budget allocation, review of budget, co-ordination with all external agencies and random site inspection for quality check and issuances of No Objection Certificate to construction or renovations of the buildings coming under Jurisdiction of the Authority.
3. (3) The Advisor of Finance and Accounts shall work under the control of the Secretary. He shall ensure that financial rules are followed and accounts are kept up to date, presenting a true and fair picture of the financial affairs of the Authority.
4. (4) The salaries, allowances and other conditions of service of the employees referred to in sub-section
5. (1) shall be such as may be prescribed.
6. (5) The Secretary shall be the appointing and disciplinary authority in respect of employees of the Authority and shall exercise general control and supervision over the employees of the Authority.

General disqualification for services under the Authority.- No person who has directly or indirectly by himself or through his partner or through his agent, any share or interest in any contract, by or on behalf of the Authority or in any employment under, by or on behalf of the Authority, otherwise than as an officer or employee thereof, shall become or remain an officer or employee of the Authority.

Meetings of the Authority.-

1. (1) Meetings of the Authority shall be convened by the Secretary, 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 four times in a calendar year.
2. (2) Every meeting shall be presided over by the Chairman and if for any reason the Chairman is unable to attend any meeting and if such a meeting is attended by the Vice-Chairmen, the District incharge Minister shall preside over the meeting. The quorum for the meeting shall be one third of the total members including the Chairman.
3. (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 Secretary shall refer the matter to the State Government and the decision of the State Government in such matters shall be final and conclusive.
4. (4) The Secretary shall give effect to the decisions of the Authority: Provided that, if in the opinion of the Secretary any resolution of the Authority contravenes any provision of this Act or any other law or of any rule, 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 interests of the development and maintenance of Shree Chamundeshwari Kshetra, 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 Secretary shall not be bound to give effect to such resolution.
5. (5) The Authority may by regulations specify the procedure with regard to the transaction of business at its meetings, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act and the provisions of the Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act, 1997 (Karnataka Act 33 of 2001) and the Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Rules, 2002.

Proceedings presumed to be good and valid.- No disqualification of or defect in the appointment of any person acting as 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.

Decisions of the Authority by circulation of note.-

1. (1) The Chairman may direct that any case may, instead of being brought up for discussion at a meeting of the Authority, be circulated, 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 Secretary shall refer the matter to the State Government and the decision of the State Government thereon shall be final.
2. (2) In cases which are circulated for opinion under sub-section (1), if any member fails to communicate his opinion to the Secretary 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. (3) The provisions of section 14 shall mutatis mutandis apply to the decisions of the Authority by circulation under this section.
4. (4) The contents of the note for circulation under sub-section (1), shall be such as may be prescribed.

Power of the Chairman to take decisions of the Authority in certain cases.-

1. (1) Where the Chairman is of the opinion that a matter is so urgent that it cannot wait for the Authority meeting under section 14 or for a Authority decision, by circulation under section 16, he may pass such orders as he may deem fit and it shall be implemented in the manner, the decisions of the Authority are implemented under section 14 and 16.
2. (2) Every decision taken by the Chairman under this section shall be reported to the Authority at its next meeting for ratification.
3. (3) If the Authority disagrees with the decision of the Chairman the same shall be referred to the Government by the Secretary for suitable order.

District Level and State Level Monitoring Committee.-

1. (1) There shall be constituted a District level committee and a State level Monitoring committee to review and submit the proposal regarding construction and maintenance of buildings, roads and tunnels, electricity supply and maintenance, water supply and sanitation, construction of recreation centre and libraries to provide necessary facilities to pilgrims and to provide safety to pilgrims within the jurisdiction of the Authority.
2. (2) The District level committee shall consist of the following members, namely:-
   • (a) The Deputy Commissioner of Mysuru Ex-officio member
   • (b) The Superintendent of Police, Mysuru Ex-officio member
   • (c) The Chief Executive Officers , Zilla Panchayat, Mysuru Ex-officio member
   • (d) The Deputy Conservator of Forest (Social Forest) Mysuru Ex-officio member
   • (e) The Superintending Engineer, Public Works Department, Mysuru Ex-officio member
   • (f) The Director, State Archeological Research Department Ex-officio member
   • (g) The Assistant Commissioner of Mysuru sub- division Ex-officio member
   • (h) The Tahsildar of Mysuru Taluk Ex-officio member
     • (i) The Executive Officer of Mysuru Taluk Panchayat Ex-officio member
   • (j) The Deputy Director, Palace Board, Mysuru Ex-officio member
   • (k) The Assistant Director, Tourism Department Ex-officio member
   • (l) The Chief priest, Shree Chamundeshwari Temple Ex-officio member
   • (m) The Secretary of the Authority Ex-officio member Secretary
3. (3) The District Level Committee shall submit suitable proposals to the State Level Monitoring Committee for the works or proposals to be undertaken within the jurisdiction of the Authority.
4. (4) The State Level Committee shall consist of the following members, namely:-
   • (a) The Principal Secretary to Government, Revenue Department (Muzrai) Ex-officio Chairman
   • (b) The Commissioner, Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowment Department Ex-officio member
   • (c) The Chief Engineer, Public Works Department Ex-officio member
   • (d) The Managing Director, Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Company Ex-officio member
   • (e) The Chief Engineer, Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Sewerage Board Ex-officio member
   • (f) The Deputy Commissioner, Mysuru Ex-officio member
   • (g) The Commissioner of Police, Mysuru Ex-officio member
   • (h) The Chief Executive Officer, Zilla Panchayat Mysuru Ex-officio member
     • (i) The Director, State Archaeological Research Department Ex-officio member
   • (j) The Deputy Director, Tourism Department Ex-officio member
   • (k) The Secretary of the Authority Ex-officio member Secretary
5. (5) The State level Monitoring Committee shall monitor the proposals submitted by the District level Committee and direct the Authority on all matters concerning to development of Shree Chamundeshwari Kshetra.
6. (6) The District level Committee and the State level Monitoring Committee shall meet at least once in six months at such place and at such time and shall adopt such procedure as may be prescribed.

Provision with regard to the Movable and Immovable Properties of the Temple.-

1. (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any, custom, usage or the provisions of any law for the time being in force under which Shree Chamundeshwari temple is governed or the provisions of the Karnataka Hindu Religious institutions and charitable endowments Act, 1997 (Karnataka Act 33 of 2001), the ownership, administration and complete management of movable and immovable properties including jewellery and liabilities of the temple shall vest with the State Government from the date of commencement of this Act and shall be transferred to the Authority thereafter.
2. (2) Subject to the provisions of sub section
3. (1) of section 12, on and from the date of commencement of this Act the management of the employees of the temple shall vest in the Authority.
4. (3) It shall be competent for the State Government, by order to make transitory provisions, if in the opinion of the State Government, it is expedient so to do.

Preparation of developmental plan, its approval and execution.-

1. (1) The Authority shall, as soon as may be, after its constitution prepare a plan for the development of Shree Chamundeshwari Kshetra into an international pilgrim, cultural and tourist centre and a centre for deliberation and propagation of the tenets of Shree Chamundeshwari and other subsidiary deities. The Development plan may include,- (a) Shree Chamundeshwari Temple programmes for its maintenance and other temple attached to the presiding deity; (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; (c) putting up public parks, horticultural or zoological gardens, fountain gardens, artificial water falls. game parks, lakes with boating or other water games or such other tourist attractions; (d) construction of choultries, lodging houses, cottages, hotels, restaurants and boarding houses to cater to different classes of tourists; (e) construction of necessary chain of shops or shopping complexes: (f) construction of prayer halls and meditation halls at strategic places; (g) provision of amenities as defined in section 2; (h) laying and relaying of all or any land including, construction and reconstruction of buildings; (i) provision of drainage, electricity and water supply and sanitation; (j) raising any land which the Authority may consider expedient to raise to facilitate its plan of action in general and better drainage in particular; (k) forming open spaces for the better ventilation of the area comprised in the Shree Chamundeshwari Temple or in any adjoining area; (l) the demolition of all buildings unfit for human habitation and not fitting into the developmental plan; (m) the demolition of obstructive building or portions of buildings; (n) the construction and reconstruction of buildings, their maintenance and preservation; (o) the sale, letting or exchange of any property comprised in the scheme, subject to the provisions of section 29; (p) prohibition of ear buds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice- cream sticks, polystyrene (Thermocol) for decoration, plates, cups, glasses, cutlery such as forks, spoons, knives, straw, trays, wrapping or packing films around sweet boxes, invitation cards and cigarette packets, plastic or PVC banners less than 100 micron, stirrers in the area of the Authority for avoiding the plastic pollution; (q) ensuring availability of safe and secure water and sanitation facilities for all, throughout the year, in the area of the Authority; (r) provision of accommodation to the employees of the Authority; provision of facilities for communication and transport with parking facilities; (t) 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 developmental plan; and (u) any other matter for which in the opinion of the Authority, it is expedient and incidental to make provision with a view to develop and maintain Shree Chamundeshwari Kshetra as a cultural centre, place of pilgrimage and an international tourist centre and a centre for deliberation and to protect and develop other places of importance connected with Shree Chamundeshwari Temple.
2. (2) The development plan prepared under sub-section
3. (1) shall be forwarded by the Secretary to the State Government for information. The State Government may approve the plan with or without any modifications.
4. (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.
5. (4) The Authority shall have power to undertake works and incur expenditure for execution of development plans approved by the State Government in accordance with the provisions of the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement Act, 1999 (Karnataka Act 29 of 2000).

Subsequent development works.- After execution of the development plan under section 20, the Authority may, from time to time, make and take up any new additional development schemes, out of its own or borrowed financial resources or funds from the State Government.

Maintenance of Shree Chamundeshwari Kshetra.- The State Government may by rules on the recommendation of the Authority or otherwise shall make provision for the maintenance of Shree Chamundeshwari Kshetra which shall include the manner in which the properties of the Authority including Shree Chamundeshwari Kshetra can be managed, the rates, fees or other charges that can be collected from the devotees, pilgrims, tourists and other visitors to Shree Chamundeshwari Kshetra for the various facilities that they could make use of in Shree Chamundeshwari Kshetra and for such other matters as may be expedient like power to levy license fee as may be determined by the Authority from the licensee or persons in possession of the properties of Shree Chamundeshwari Kshetra.

Delegation of powers.-

1. (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 38.
2. (2) The Authority may by regulations, delegate any of the powers conferred on it by or under this Act to the Secretary or other officers of the Authority, except the power to make regulations under section 39.

Application of the Karnataka Public Premises (Eviction of unauthorized occupants) Act, 1974 (Karnataka Act 32 of 1974) to the Authority Premises.-

1. (1) The State Government. may by notification provide from such date as may be specified in such notification that the Karnataka Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1974 shall apply to premises belonging to, vesting in, or leased by, the Authority as that Act applies in relation to public premises but subject to the provisions of sub-section (2).
2. (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 the Authority as it thinks fit, to be the competent officer for the purposes of the aforesaid Act;
   • (b) references 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 section 6,8,14,16 and 17 of that Act shall be deemed to be references to the Authority.

Fund of the Authority.-

1. (1) There shall be a Fund called Shree Chamundeshwari Temple Development Authority Fund.
2. (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; and
   • (ii) the amount borrowed by the Authority: Provided that, the donations, Kanikes, Seva Fees and other offering made to God in Hundi shall be credited to the fund of the Authority and out of which the net income of that temple the authority shall contribute to the common pool fund created under section 17 of the Karnataka Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1997 (Karnataka Act 33 of 2001) at such rate as specified in that section.
3. (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.
4. (4) The administrative expenses of the Authority including the salaries, allowances and pension if any. payable to the Secretary and other officer and employees of the Authority shall be defrayed out of the fund of the Authority.

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

Grant by the State Government.- The State Government shall 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.

Budget of the Authority.-

1. (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.
2. (2) The State Government shall approve the Budget Estimates and Supplementary Budget Estimates with or without modifications.
3. (3) In cases of extreme urgency, the Secretary shall be competent to incur expenditure not exceeding twenty 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).
4. (4) The Secretary shall also have power to re-appropriate funds from one unit of expenditure to another unit, subject to a maximum of rupees ten lakh at a time.

Accounts and audit.-

1. (1) The Secretary 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.
2. (2) The financial year of the Authority shall commence on 1st April of each calendar year and shall end on 31st March of the succeeding calendar year.
3. (3) The accounts of the Authority shall be audited annually by the Chief Controller, State Audit and Accounts Department. The Authority or the State Government may order concurrent and special audits also.
4. (4) The auditor shall, for the purposes of the audit, have access to all the accounts and other records of the Authority.
5. (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.
6. (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.

Reports.

1. (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 29.
2. (2) The Authority shall before such date, in such form and at such intervals as may be prescribed, submit the such reports to the State Government.
3. (3) The audit report and annual report of the authority shall be laid before State Legislature by the State Government.

Continuance of the privileges and religious rights.- The privileges and religious rights of the Royal family of Mysuru in Shree Chamundeshwari temple shall be continued as usual.

Certain persons to be public servants.- 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, 1860.

Protection of action taken in good faith.- 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.

Default in performance of duty.-

1. (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.
2. (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, notwithstanding anything contained in section 3 to supersede and reconstitute the Authority in the prescribed manner.
3. (3) After the super session of the Authority and until it is reconstituted, the powers, duties and functions of the Authority under this Act shall be carried on by the State Government or by such officer or officers, as the State Government may appoint for this purpose.

Dissolution of the Authority.-

1. (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 dissolution 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,
2. (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 realisable by the Authority shall vest in and be realisable by the State Government; and
   • (b) all liabilities endorsable against the Authority shall be endorsable against Shree Chamundeshwari temple to the extent of the properties, funds and dues vested in and realised by Shree Chamundeshwari temple.

Control by the State Government.-

1. (1) The State Government shall have general administrative control and supervision over all the activities and affairs of the Authority.
2. (2) The State Government may call for the records of any proceedings of the Authority, the Secretary 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 in accordance with the provisions of the Act:

Power of the State Government to give directions Power of the State Government to give directions.- 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 Authority, to comply with such directions.

Power to make rules.-

1. (1) The State Government may, by notification make rules to carry out the purposes of this Act.
2. (2) Every rule 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 both Houses agree that the rule should not be made, the rule 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.

Power to make regulations.- The Authority may subject to the provisions of this Act and the rules made under section 38 and with the previous sanction of the State Government, by notification make regulations to carry out the purposes of this Act.

Over riding effect of the Act.- Notwithstanding any compromise, agreement scheme, judgment decree or order of the court or other authority or any custom, usage governing Shree Chamundeshwari temple, the provisions of the Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act, 1997 (Karnataka Act 33 of 2001) and the Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Rules 2002, shall prevail in so far as they relate to religious practices of Shree Chamundeshwari temple, Chamundeshwari hills, which will remain as notified institutions under the provisions of the Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act, 1997 (Karnataka Act 33 of 2001) even after the commencement of this Act.

Consequences of constitution of the Authority.- Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act with effect from the date the Authority is constituted under this Act, such authority shall be the local planning authority for the local planning area comprising Shree Chamundeshwari Kshetra and it shall exercise the powers, discharge the functions and perform the duties under this Act as if it were a local planning authority constituted for Shree Chamundeshwari Kshetra.

Power to remove difficulty.-

1. (1) 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 and the provisions of the Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act of 1997 (Karnataka Act 33 of 2001) as appears to it be necessary or expedient for removing the difficulty.
2. (2) The provisions made by any notification under sub-section
3. (1) shall have effect as if enacted in this Act and any such notification may be made so as to be retrospective to any date not earlier than the appointed day.