Hindu Religious Institutions and Endowments Law (Andhra Pradesh)
The core statute is the Andhra Pradesh Charitable and Hindu Religious Institutions and Endowments Act, 1987 (Act 30 of 1987), which replaced the 1966 Act. It governs Hindu temples, maths, specific endowments and charitable institutions, but not the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, which has a separate Act. The exam tests definitions, statutory authorities, trustee powers and property controls.
Core rules
- Endowment means property dedicated or bequeathed for a religious or charitable purpose; a specific endowment is property tied to a particular service or festival.
- The Commissioner of Endowments exercises superintendence and control; Deputy Commissioners and Assistant Commissioners exercise delegated powers; Executive Officers are appointed for major institutions.
- Trustees may be hereditary trustees, a board of trustees or a fit person. A trustee is a custodian, not an owner, and must act under the Act, Agama/custom and the sanctioned budget.
- Property controls: alienation, mortgage, exchange and long leases require statutory sanction; encroachments are removable; accounts are audited and budgets sanctioned.
Worked example
A hereditary trustee leases temple land for five years by private negotiation. Is it valid? Reasoning: a long lease beyond the prescribed limit generally requires the Commissioner's sanction and ordinarily a public auction or tender. Private negotiation without sanction is irregular; the lease can be cancelled and the trustee surcharged. Answer: not valid.
Traps that cost marks
Applying the 1966 Act; assuming every temple is 'notified' under the Department; treating a hereditary trustee as absolute owner; forgetting TTD's separate Act; and ignoring that religious custom and Agama operate alongside the statute.