Part XII: Finance, Property, Contracts and Suits

Article 290A: Annual Payment to Certain Devaswom Funds

Original Article:

A sum of forty-six lakhs and fifty thousand rupees shall be charged on, and paid out of, the Consolidated Fund of the State of Kerala every year to the Travancore Devaswom Fund; and a sum of thirteen lakhs and fifty thousand rupees shall be charged on, and paid out of, the Consolidated Fund of the State of Tamil Nadu every year to the Devaswom Fund established in that State for the maintenance of Hindu temples and shrines in the territories transferred to that State on the 1st day of November, 1956, from the State of Travancore-Cochin.

Explanations:

Article 290A mandates annual financial payments from the Consolidated Funds of Kerala and Tamil Nadu to the respective Devaswom Funds. These payments support the upkeep of Hindu temples and shrines in regions affected by the reorganization of state boundaries in 1956.

Key Provisions:

Clause 1: Payment to Travancore Devaswom Fund

The State of Kerala is required to allocate forty-six lakh fifty thousand rupees annually to the Travancore Devaswom Fund for temple maintenance and operations.

Clause 2: Payment to Tamil Nadu Devaswom Fund

The State of Tamil Nadu must allocate thirteen lakh fifty thousand rupees annually to the Devaswom Fund for the maintenance of Hindu temples and shrines in areas transferred from Travancore-Cochin.

Real-Life Examples:

Funds allocated under Article 290A support the maintenance of prominent temples like the Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Kerala and the Suchindram Temple in Tamil Nadu. These funds help preserve the cultural and religious significance of these historic sites.

Amendments:

Article 290A was introduced by the Constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act, 1956, to address the financial requirements of Devaswom Boards in the reorganized states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Historical Significance:

Article 290A reflects the Constitution's commitment to preserving cultural heritage and maintaining religious institutions affected by administrative changes. By constitutionally mandating financial support, it ensures the continued upkeep of Hindu temples and shrines in the affected regions.

Debates and Deliberations:

During the Constituent Assembly debates, members discussed the financial implications of supporting religious institutions post-reorganization. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar emphasized the need for constitutional provisions to address these unique challenges.

• Shri K.T. Shah questioned the allocation amounts but acknowledged the cultural necessity of these provisions.
• Pandit Hriday Nath Kunzru highlighted the importance of preserving religious harmony and cultural continuity through financial support.

References:

• Constitution of India: Full text of Article 290A.
• Travancore Devaswom Board Records: Details on fund allocation and usage.
• Constituent Assembly Debates: Discussions on the Seventh Amendment and its implications.