GO.Ms.No:261, Dt:20-05-2002 | Charitable and Hindu Religious Institutions and Endowments Archakas and other office Holders and Servants Rules

~~Table of Contents(toc)~~

In exercise of the powers conferred under Sub-section (3) of Section 35 read with Sub-section (1) of Section 153 of the Andhra Pradesh Charitable and Hindu Religious Institutions and Endowments Act, 1987 (Act No.30/87), the Governor of Andhra Pradesh hereby makes the following rules with immediate effect as the same having been published previously in G.O. Ms. No.720, Revenue (Endowments - I) Department, dated 20-11-2001 as required under Sub-section (I) of Section 153 of the said Act.

Rule 1. Short title: -

These rules may be called the Andhra Pradesh Charitable and Hindu Religious Institutions and Endowments Archakas and Other Office Holders and Servants Qualifications and Emoluments Rules, 2001.

PART- I

Rule 2. Application: -

The Rules in this part shall apply to Archakas and other office holders and servants mentioned in Rules 4 and 13 of this part of all the Charitable and Religious Institutions other than Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanams.

Rule 3. Definitions: -

In these Rules, unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) 'Competent Authority' means the Commissioner, the Additional Commissioner, the Regional Joint Commissioner, the Deputy Commissioner or the Assistant Commissioner, as the case may be;

(b) 'Executive Authority' means Executive Officer or the Chairman of the Board of Trustees where there is no Executive Officer and in respect of Maths, Head of the Math.

Rule 4. Category of posts of Archakas under Sections 6(a) and 6(b) :-

(1) There shall be the following categories of Archakas or Pujaries in the Institutions published under Sections 6 (a) and 6(b) of the Act.

S.No.	Category	Name of the Post
1.	I	Pradhana Archaka
2.	II	Upa Pradhana Archaka
3.	III	Mukhya Archaka
4.	IV	Archaka

(2) In respect of the Institutions published under Section 6 (c) of the Act, thi; remuneration etc., payable to the Archakas or Pujaries in relation to the income shall be as may be decided by the Commissioner.

Rule 5. Categories of Archakas in the income range as specified: -

(1) Categories of the Archakas to be appointed in the Institutions classified under Section 6 (a) and (b) of the Act may be as shown here under:

S.No.	Income Range	Category
(a)	Exceeding Rs. 50,000/- but not exceeding Rs.5,00,000/-	IV Archaka
(b)	Exceeding Rs. 5,00,000/- but not exceeding Rs.25,00,000/-	III Mukhya Archaka IV Archaka
(c)	Exceeding Rs.25,00,000/- but not exceeding Rs.50,00,000/-	II Upa Pradhana Archaka III Mukhya Archaka IV Archaka
(d)	Exceeding Rs.50,00,000/-	I Pradhana Archaka II Upa Pradhana Archaka III Mukhya Archaka IV Archaka

Provided that, it may not be incumbent on the Executive Authority to make appointments to all the categories specified in any class of the institutions.

(2) The cadre strength of Archakas in respect of the institutions specified in subrule (I) shall be fixed in relation to the income. Financial viability, necessity and activity level of each institution by the Commissioner from time to time.

(3) For the purpose of appointing Archakas, the Maths may be classified into 3 categories, income wise on par with the institutions published under Sections 6 (a), (b) and 6 (c) of the Act respectively.

Rule 6. Scale of pay: -

The scales of pay to the Archakas of different categories shall be as specified in Schedule-I to these rules and they may be revised from time to time by the Commissioner.

Rule 7. Method of appointment and qualifications: -

The method of appointment and the qualifications of the Archakas shall be as follows: -

Sl. No. (1)	Category (2)	Name of the post (3)	Method of Recruitment (4)	Qualifications (5)	Age (6)
1.	I	Pradhana Archaka	By promotion from Category - II	Must have passed Archaka Pravara Examination conducted by the Commissioner of Endowments.	---
2.	II	Upa Pradhana Archaka	By promotion from Category - III	Must have passed Archaka Pravara Examination conducted by the Commissioner of Endowments.	---
3.	III	Mukhya Archaka	By promotion from Category - IV	Must have passed the Archaka Vara Examination conducted by the Commissioner of Endowments.	---
4.	IV	Archaka	By direct recruitment or by promotion from the post of Paricharika or Cook	Must have passed the Archaka Pravesa Examination conducted by the Commissioner of Endowments.	---

Rule 8. Prescribing of qualifications: -

(1) Every person before appointment as Archaka and above posts shall produce the certificates regarding the qualifications specified in Rule 7 for performing the functions attached to His office.

(2) In the case of appointment by promotion, the Commissioner may exempt a person from possessing qualifications specified in Rule 7 of these rules, provided that if he completes (45) years of age and is well acquainted with Pooja Vidhanam in the said Agama or Sampradayam. If it is found necessary the Commissioner may also require such person to appear for oral test as may be decided by him.

Provided that the exemption shall be applicable to the first promotion only.

Rule 9. Method of Promotion: -

The promotion from one category to another shall be on the basis of seniority-cum-suitability.

Rule 10. Other Office Holders and Servants: -

The common categories and the qualifications of the posts of other office holders and servants in Charitable and Religious Institutions shall be as shown in the table below:

T A B L E

Sl. No. (1)	Name of the post (2)	Method of Recruitment (3)	Qualifications (4)	Age (5)
1.	Stanacharya:
	(a) Grade - I	By Promotion form Grade - II
	(b) Grade - II	(i) By direct recruitment (ii) By promotion from Grade-III	(i) Must have passed Pravara or equivalent examination of the relevant Agarna; (ii) Must possess good knowledge of Sanskrit and the Sampradaya of the concerned institutions; and (iii) Must be able to guide the Archak as in the performance of the daily service, rituals and other festivals and ceremonies.
	(c) Grade - III	By direct recruitment	(i) Must have passed Pravara or equivalent examination of the relevant Agama; (ii) Must posses good knowledge of Sanskrit and the Sampradaya of the concerned institutions; and (iii) Must be able to guide the Archakas in the performance of the daily service, rituals and other festivals and ceremonies.
Note: - (a) Grades I & II: In respect of the temples published under Section 6 (a) (ii) of the Act and the Executive Officer of the temple is of the cadre of Deputy Commissioner and above; (b) Grades II & III: In respect of the temples published under Section 6 (a) (ii) of the Act and the Executive Officers of the cadre of Assistant Commissioner or 1^st Grade Executive Officer as the case may be; and (c) Grade III: In respect of the temples published under Section 6 (b) (ii) of the Act. It shall not be incumbent on the Executive Authority to appoint any grade of Stanacharya unless there is necessity with the specific permission of the Commissioner.
2.	Vedaparayanadar Gr.I	By promotion form Gr.II	Must possess a certificate of Patta in (i) Kramantham in Sukla or Krishna Yajurveda; or (ii) Mulam or Samhita in Rigveda or Adharvana Veda; or (iii) Padantham with Chandegyam in Samaveda issued by Sabhas competent to give certificate, and recognized by the Commissioner.
	Vedaparayanadar Gr.II	By promotion form Gr.III	Must possess a certificate of Patta in (i) Kramantham in Sukla; or Krishna Yajurveda or (ii) Mulam or Samhita in Regveda; or Adharvana Veda; or (iii) Padantham with Chandogyam in Samaveda issued by Sabhas competent to give certificate, and recognized by the Commissioner.
	Vedaparayanadar Gr.III	By direct recruitment	(i) Must possess a certificate of Patta in moolam in Sukla; or Krishna Yajurveda or (ii) Mulam; or Samhitha in Regveda; or Adharvana Veda; or (iii) Padantham with Chandogyam in Samaveda issued by Sabhas competent to give certificate, and recognized by the Commissioner.
Note: (a) Grade-I, Gr. II and Gr.III: In respect of the temples published under Section 6 (a) (ii) of the Act. (b) Grade-III: In respect of temples published under Section 6 (b) Oi) of the Act.
3.	Saptha Sati and Sreevidya Parayanadars Grade-I	By Promotion from Gr.II
	Grade-II	By direct recruitment	(i) Must be proficient in Sreevidya Paraya and Upasaka certified by reputed Peetham recognized by the Commissioner. (ii) Must have completed the age of (20) years and must not have completed the age of (30) years.
4.	(a) Adhyapaka	(i) By direct recruitment	Must possess a certificate of Nalayara Divya Prabhandham granted by a) TTD Vedapatasala or b) any Vedanta Acharya Peetam recognized by the Commissioner. Must have completed the age of (35) years and must not have completed the age of (38) years of age.
		(ii) By promotion from Prabandha Parayanadar	Must possess a certificate of Nalayara Divya Prabhandham granted by a) Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanams Vedapatasala or b) any Vedanta Acharya Peetam recognized by the Commissioner.
	(b) Prabandha Parayanadar	By direct recruitment	(i) Must possess a certificate of Nalayara Divya Prabhandham granted by a) Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanams Vedapatasala; or b) any Vedanta Acharya Peetam recognized by the Commissioner. (ii) Must have completed the age of (20) years and must not have completed the age of (30) years.
5.	Thevaram Recitor Grade - I	By Promotion from Grade - II	Should be well versed in reciting thevaram.
	Thevaram Recitor Grade - II	By direct recruitment	Should be well versed in reciting thevaram. Must have completed the age of (20) years and must not have completed the age of (38) years.
6.	Paricharaka or such other designations	By direct recruitment	Duties attached to which are purely for assistance in the performing of religious worship or conduct of rituals in the sanctum and sanctorum Must have completed the age of (18) years and must not have completed the age of (38) years.
7.	(a) Cook	By promotion from Assistant Cook	Must be proficient in preparation of Nyvedyam and Prasadam according to the relevant Agama Aampradayam.
	(b) Assistant Cook	By direct recruitment	Must be proficient in preparation of Nyvedyam and Prasadam according to the relevant Agama Sampradayam. Must have completed the age of (18) years and must not have completed the age of (38) years.
8.	Sannayi (Nadaswram), Grade-I	By promotion from Grade-II
	Sannayi (Nadaswram), Grade-II	By direct recruitment or promotion of Sruti	Must have a certificate in the Art concerned from any institution recognized by the Commissioner and must have proficiency. Preference may be given to diploma holders. Must have completed the age of (18) years and must not have completed the age of (38) years.
9.	Dolu – Grade-I	By promotion from Grade-II	Must have a certificate in the Art concerned from any institution recognized by the Commissioner and must have proficiency. Preference may be given to diploma holders.
	Dolu – Grade-II	By promotion from thalam or by direct recruitment.	Must have a certificate in the Art concerned from any institution recognized by the Commissioner and must have proficiency. Preference may be given to diploma holders. Must have completed the age of (18) years and must not have completed the age of (38) years for direct recruitment.
10.	(a) Sruthi	By direct recruitment	Must have proficiency in the Art concerned. Must have completed the age of (18) years and must not have completed the age of (38) years.
	(b) Thalam	By direct recruitment	Must have proficiency in the Art concerned. Must have completed the age of (18) years and must not have completed the age of (38) years.

Explanation:

(i) Any other posts which do not fall wider the above categories but declared as such by the Commissioner shall also fall under this rule provided the method of recruitment, qualifications etc., of the said post shall be as may be approved by the Government.

(ii) In the case of Maths, the posts, which are considered as religious by the Head of the Math, shall also fall under this rule.

Rule 11. Emoluments: -

The emoluments payable to different posts other than those mentioned in Schedule - I shall be as specified in Schedule - II of these rules subject to revision by the Commissioner from time to time. The emoluments are payable from out of the incomes of the respective temples.

Rule 12. Allowances: -

The rates of Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance and City compensatory Allowance to the posts specified in Schedules I and II shall be on par with the Rules rates payable to the secular employees from time to time.

Rule 13. Rectification of anomalies: -

The Commissioner shall have power to rectify the anomalies, if any in the fixation of pay etc., that may arise in respect of the office holders and servants who are governed by these rules.

Rule 14. Conditions of service of office holders and servants: -

The rules relating to the conditions of service of office holders and servants of Charitable and Religious Institutions and Endowments other than Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanams framed under sub section (4) of Sections 35 and 39 shall apply to the Archakas, other officer holders and servants in respect of matters other than those expressly provided herein.

Rule 15. Powers of Commissioner: -

The Commissioner may relax the upper age limit in favour of any person for being appointed to the posts specified in Schedules I and II of these rules in such manner as may appear to him just and equitable.

SCHEDULE – I

(See Rule - 6)

Sl. No.	Nomenclature of Archakas	Existing pay scales	Proposed pay scales
01.	Pradhana Archaka	3000-70-3560-80-4200- 90-4920-100-5520	6350-200-7150-250-8400-300-9900-350-11650-450-13000
02.	Upa Pradhana Archaka	2500-60-2980-70-3440- 80-1080-90-4620	5000-150-5300-170-6150-200-7150-250-8400-300-9900-350-10600
03.	Mukhya Archaka	2000-50-2400-60-2880-70-3440-80-3920	4190-120- 4550-150 -5300-170-6150-200-7l50-250-8400-300-8700
04.	Archaka I Abhisekam Purohit	1400-30-1640-40-1960-50-2300-60-2730	3290-80-3450-I00-3950-120-4550-150-5300-I70-6150-200-6550

Note I: The word "Purohit" includes any Purohit performing the Abhishekham, Vratams, Marriages and Upanayanams of the individuals and Vahana Poojas, etc.

Note 2: The nomenclature of Upa-mukhya Archaka has since been deleted he shall be called Archaka carrying the proposed pay scale shown against the Archaka.

SCHEDULE –II

(See Rule - 10)

Sl. No.	Nomenclature of Archakas	Existing pay scales	Proposed pay scales
1.	Sthanacharya *[and Vedaparayanadars] Grade-I	2500-60-2980-70-3440-80-4080-90-4620	7150-250-8400-300- 9900-350-11650-450-13000
- Added by G.O. Ms. No. 91, Rev. (End-I), Dt. 15-01-2005
	Grade II	2000-50-2400-60-2880-70-3440-80-3920	6350-200-7150-250-8400-300-9900-350-11650-450-13,000
	Grade III	1600-40-1920-50- 2320-60-2800-70-3220	5000-150-5300-170-6150-200-7150-250-8400-300-9900-350-10600
2.	Saptha Sati & Sreevidya, Parayanadar Adhyapaka Thevaram Recitor-Grade I	2000-50-2400-60-2880-70-3440-80-3920	4190-120-4550-150-5300-I70-6150-200-7I50-250-8400-300-8700
3.	Saptha Sati & Sreevidya, Parayanadar Grade II	I600-40-1920-50-2320- 60-2800-70-3220	3290-80-3450-100-3950-120-4550- I 50-5300-170-6150-200- 6550
4.	Prabhandha Parayanadar - Thevaram Recitor - Grade II	1600-40-1920-50-2320-60-2800-70-3220	3290-80-3450-100-3950-120-4550-I50-5300-170-6150-200-6550
5.	Paricharaka or such other designations	1200-25-1300-30-1450-40-1650-50-1900-60-2200	2870-60-3050-80- 3450-100-3950-120- 4550-150-5300-170-5470
6.	Cook	1200-25-I300-30-1450-40-I650-50-1900-60-2200	3290-80-3450-100-3950-120-4550-150- 5300-170-6150-200-6550
7.	Assistant Cook	1000-20-1080-25-1205-30-1355-35-1530-40-1750	2870-60-3050-80-3450-100-3950-120-4550-150-5300-170-5470
8.	Sannayi & Dolu - Grade I	2500-60-2980-70-3440-80-4080-90-4620	3450-100-3950-120-4550-150-5300-I70-5470.
9.	Sannayi & Dolu - Grade II	2000-50-2400-60-2880-70-3440-80-3920	2870-60-3050-80-3450-100-3950-120-4550-150-5300-170-5470
10.	Sruthi and Thalam	1400-30-1640-40-1960-50-2300-60-2730	2550-50-2750-60-3050-80-3450-I00-3950-120-1550

1. Those who has spent 12 years or more in learning Veda and certified as such by the competent persons or institutions are entitled to the Special Pay Rs. 1,000/- in addition to the regular scale of pay given to veda parayandars.

2. Weightage of increment for every completion of five years of service shall be given to the Archakas covered under these rules but no Archaka shall be entitled to more than three weightages in a total period of service exceeding 15 years.

The benefits mentioned in 1 and 2 above, are applicable to the Archakas for whom the 1993 P.R.C. Scales have not been extended.