APHC010597722024 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI [3331]

(Special Original Jurisdiction)

THURSDAY, THE THIRTEENTH DAY OF FEBRUARY TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY FIVE PRESENT THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE SUBBA REDDY SATTI WRIT PETITION NO: 31206/2024 Between:

1. B ADIKUNCHALA VENKATARANGAM, S/O. PULLAIAH, AGED ABOUT 50 YEARS, OCC. ARCHAKA R/O. KADAMAKALVA VILLAGE, BANDIATMAKURU MANDAL, KURNOOL DISTRICT ...PETITIONER AND

1. T HE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, REP., BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY ENDOWMENTS DEPARTMENT SECRETARIAT BUILDINGS, AMARAVATHI, GUNTUR DISTRICT

2. T HE COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF ENDOWMENTS AND CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS GOLLAPUDI, VIJAYAWADA

3. T HE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF ENDOWMENTS AND CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS GOLLAPUDI, VIJAYAWADA

4. T HE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF ENDOWMENTS AND CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS GOLLAPUDI, VIJAYAWADA

5. T HE EXECUTIVE OFFICER, DEPARTMENT OF ENDOWMENTS AND CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS GOLLAPUDI, VIJAYAWADA ...RESPONDENT(S):

Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed therewith, the High Court may be pleased to issue an appropriate order or direction more particularly, one in the nature of Writ of Mandamus, declaring the action of the Respondent No. 2 to 5 in not considering petitioners Representation dated 25/07/2024 is illegal, arbitrary and consequently direct to make my Salary/ Honorarium par with the Archaka of Sri.Chennakeshava Swami and also to pay the difference of Salary / Honorarium arrears and to pass IA NO: 1 OF 2024 Petition under Section 151 CPC praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed in support of the petition, the High Court may be pleased may be pleased to direct the Respondent Nos. 2 to 5 to consider my Representation dated 25/07/2024 pending disposal of the Writ Petition and to pass Counsel for the Petitioner:

1. A V S RAMA KRISHNA Counsel for the Respondent(S):

1. GP FOR ENDOWMENTS The Court made the following:

:: ORDER ::

The above writ petition is filed to declare the action of respondents 2 to

5 in not considering the representation made by the petitioner dated 25.07.2024 (Ex.P2) to pay an honorarium/salary on par with Archaka of Sri Chennakesava Swami illegal and arbitrary.

2. Heard Sri A.V.S. Rama Krishna, learned counsel for the petitioner and learned Assistant Government Pleader for Endowments appeared for the respondents.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner is Hereditary Archaka in Sri Venkateswara Swami Devasthanam, Kadamakalava Village, Bandi Atmakuru Mandal, Kurnool District. The petitioner passed the requisite examination conducted by the Department, vide Agama Archaka Pravasha Vijaya Patram (Sl.No.290300 of 1998). Learned counsel also would submit that two Idols were located in the same temple, under the same roof. The petitioner is being paid a monthly salary of Rs.10,000/-, whereas the Archaka of Sri Chennakeshava Swami Temple is being paid a monthly salary of Rs.15,525/-. The petitioner made a representation dated 25.07.2024 (Ex.P2) to respondent No.2. However, the same was not considered. Hence, the writ petition.

4. At the hearing, learned counsel for the petitioner would confine his arguments and urge to direct respondent No.2 to consider the representation made by the petitioner and pass appropriate orders.

5. Learned Assistant Government Pleader for Endowments did not refute the submission made by learned counsel for the petitioner.

6. Given the facts and circumstances of the case, without touching the merits of the matter, the Writ Petition is disposed of at the stage of admission with the consent of both the learned counsel, directing respondent No.2 to consider the representation made by the petitioner dated 25.07.2024 (Ex.P2)

and pass appropriate orders, strictly as per the Rules. No order as to costs.

As a sequel, pending miscellaneous petitions, if any, shall stand closed.

___________________________ JUSTICE SU