The Allahabad High Court said that we are in the age of digital technology, where the amount can be transferred without there being any need of doing paperwork, and if the Government of the present time finds it proper, it should call for bank accounts of each and every institutions/ temples/trusts to whom annuities are payable under Section 99, and the same is registered with the State Government.
A Single Bench of Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal passed this order while hearing a petition filed by Thakur Rangji Maharaj Virajman Mandir.
In the pursuant to the order dated 18.03.2024, S.V.S Ranga Rao, Commissioner/Secretary, Board of Revenue is present in the Court.
The officer who is present in the Court submitted that no demand was made by the District Magistrate, Mathura as to the annuity to be paid to nine temples of Vrindavan, and it was for the first time that through a letter dated 26.02.2024 send by the District Magistrate, Mathura, the officer concerned came to know about the payment of annuity.
He has further made a statement that after receiving the letter and order of the Court, the matter was placed before the Chief Secretary, whereby necessary sanction has been given for making payments.
He further submitted that the balance amount of Rs 6,89,308/- shall be transmitted into the accounts of temples.
The Court after interacting with the officer concerned and after hearing Additional Advocate General as well as J.N Maurya, Chief Standing Counsel found that it is a regular feature and annuity has to be paid to the various temples, mosques, gurudwaras and trusts as given in Section 99 of the U.P.Z.A & L.R Act, for which, demands are raised by the concerned District Magistrate with the Government annually, and after sanction of the amount by Commissioner/Secretary, Board of Revenue, the said amount is transferred.
The Court said that,
At the beginning of each financial year, the said annuity is transferred automatically into the said accounts without interference of any officer of the State Government. The paperwork is only delaying the transfer of annuities for which these temples/trusts are entitled.
The case is a classic example of red tapism of the government officials where the annuity has been withheld for the last four years (from 01.01.2020 to 31.12.2023).
“As the matter is already before the Chief Minister of the State who shall take necessary action in the matter, list this matter after three weeks, on which date, the petitioner counsel shall apprise the Court as to whether annuity has been received or not.
In the meantime, the State shall take necessary steps which shall be brought to the notice of the Court through an affidavit.
Personal appearance of the officer concerned is exempted until further order of the Court”, the order reads.