The Allahabad High Court expressed concern on Monday, observing that temples and trusts in Uttar Pradesh had to take legal action to recover their dues.
Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal expressed this remark while referring the case to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for quick action.
In addition, the Court summoned the Secretary of the Uttar Pradesh Board of Revenue to explain the four-year delay in distributing funds owing to at least nine Vrindavan temples.
The Court considered it worrisome that temple administrators had to overcome procedural obstacles in order to get their proper compensation from government officials.
In a statement, the Court said, “It is disheartening to see temples and trusts resorting to legal action to obtain payments from the State Government, which should have been promptly transferred from the State Treasury to the temples’ accounts.”
The Court emphasised that, in this digital age, the state should automatically release such payments at the start of each fiscal year.
Thakur Rangji Maharaj Virajman Mandir petitioned the District Magistrate of Mathura and the Senior Treasury Officer for payment of an annuity under Section 99 of the UP Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Act, which prompted the hearing.
The petitioner claimed that nine temples were owed ₹9,125,07 in annuities due to delays caused by the Board of Revenue’s lack of approval. The government reported that just ₹2,23,199 had been released, leaving a balance of ₹6,89,308.
The Court expressed concern over the petitioner’s unpaid annuity of ₹3,52,080 from 2020 to 2023 and questioned the Revenue Board’s assertion of a fund deficit.
“It’s not merely about a single year’s payment; rather, the annuity has been withheld from the concerned temple for the past four years,” the Supreme Court said.
It criticised the Lucknow authorities for their nonchalant approach to releasing pensions to trusts and temples, citing a letter from Mathura’s District Magistrate.
The Court declared, “Provide a copy of this order to learned Chief Standing Counsel Dr. Rajeshwar Tripathi within 24 hours for immediate compliance.” Furthermore, the Registrar (Compliance) shall submit this order via FAX within 24 hours to the Chief Secretary, Government of Uttar Pradesh, who shall bring this matter to the Chief Minister’s attention for immediate action.”
The Court set the next hearing for March 20th, with Advocate Devansh Misra representing the petitioner and Chief Standing Counsel Dr. Rajeshwar Tripathi defending the state.
