TPM urges AP govt to amend Endowments Act

Hyderabad, Mar 1 (UNI) The Temples Protection Movement (TPM) today urged the Andhra Pradesh government to amend the Endowments Act as directed by the Supreme Court to save the temples from decay and help in revival of the temple system in the state.

A delegation, led by TPM convener M V Soundara Rajan, met Assembly Speaker K R Suresh Reddy and submitted a memorandum in this regard.

In the memorandum, Mr Rajan said the Supreme Court had directed in 1997 that the Endowments Act 30/1987 needs to be amended.

However, in 2004, when a review petition was admitted, the case was posted before a larger bench. Since then the govenment had been assuring the apex court that the legislation was being amended by which process the hearing pertaining to the review petition was being adjourned time and again.

He said Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy and Endowments Minister had assured the delegation on December 18 last year that the Draft Bill would be placed before the Cabinet meeting on December 29. Due to paucity of time to push it through in the assembly during the winter session, they assured that an ordinance would be promulgated to amend the legislation. However, the legislation was not issued, Mr Rajan added.

He urged the Speaker to take steps to introduce the Amendment bill in this budget session.

UNI