Implement Devasthan property rent policy before by Feb 10: HC

IF ANY POLICY DECISION IS TAKEN BY THE STATE, THE SAME SHALL BE PLACED BEFORE THE COURT, THE COURT DIRECTED THE STATE GOVT

JODHPUR: The Rajasthan High Court has directed the state government to ensure that the proposed rent policy decision on the properties of the Devasthan department is taken at the earliest and positively before the next hearing and, if any, policy decision is taken by the state, same shall be placed before the court.

The next hearing has been scheduled for February 10.

Taking suo motu cognizance, a division bench comprising Chief Justice Indrajit Mahanty and Justice Dinesh Mehta was hearing a public interest litigation regarding the deteriorating condition of Devasthan properties. During the hearing, additional advocate general Manish Vyas told the court that in compliance with the earlier order, Devasthan secretary filed his affidavit on December 10. The affidavit stated that the policy would be finalised by holding meetings in different parts of the state and it would be impleicy mented soon with the approval of the state government.

On September 9 last year, it was brought to the notice of the court that three years ago the Devasthan secretary submitted that the state government is seriously thinking to have a new policy to protect and secure the entire of Devasthan property in the State of Rajasthan and other parts of the Country and sought some time to place on record such policy, if any framed after due consideration.

“A span of more than three years have elapsed.in the meanwhile on August 14, 2020, this Court had once again asked the State about the status of the pollarly, to be framed. Till date, no such policy has been framed by the State,” the bench observed.

“Our concern is essentially to protect and secure the immovable property of the Devasthan in the State of Rajasthan and throughout the Country. We hope and trust that the Chief Minister shall consider the anguish of this Court and take a decision thereon at the earliest. We remain assured that once this order comes to the notice of the Chief Minister, immediate steps shall be taken by the Office of the Chief Minister to finalise the draft of the policy at the earliest,” the court said.

The court started the hearing a PIL regarding the mismanagement of Devasthan properties, in which it was revealed that shops belonging to the temples and other properties of the Devasthan department have been given very low rent. Such tenants have sublet these properties at a rental of millions of rupees. To curb this trend, the department needs to implement a new rent policy.