SALIGRAMA TIRUNARAYANACHARYULU Vs. EXECUTIVE OFFICER, TIRUMALATIRUPATHI DEVASTHANAM, TIRUPATHI, CHITTOOR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Sri Pattabhi Ramaswamy Temple at Vayalapad, Chittoor District (for short, 'the Temple'), was brought under the purview of Tirumala Tirupathi Devastanam (for short, 'the Devasthanam') through the orders issued by the Government in G.O.Ms.No.704, Revenue (Endts-III), dated 22.08.1996. The petitioners herein were working as employees of the Temple by the time it was brought under the purview of the Devasthanam. As regards emoluments to be paid to them, there was some uncertainty, and repeated representations were being made. The grievance of the petitioners is that though more than 15 years have elapsed from the date of take over, the respondents did not fix their pay scales and that they are not being paid salaries in terms of G.O.Ms.No.855, dated 08.10.1997. They submit that when a similar situation prevailed in respect of other Temples which were taken over, the employees of such Temples filed W.P.No.5484 of 1990 before this Court and through an order, dated 27.07.1999, this Court directed the Devasthanam and the Government to take steps for regularisation of the services of the employees of the taken over Temples.

(2.) The Executive Officer of the Devasthanam filed counter affidavit. The fact that the Temple was taken over is admitted.

(3.) It is also stated that through resolution, dated 01.12.1997, the Trust Board of the Devasthanam fixed the consolidated salaries for the petitioners and other employees and that the petitioners are not covered by G.O.Ms.No.855, dated 08.10.1997. He further stated that a resolution has been passed on 08.01.2000 by the Trust Board to frame separate set of rules for administration of taken over Temples and the same is under process.