Part XII - Finance & Property • Article

Article 290A Simplified: Annual payment to certain Devaswom Funds

Article 290A requires the governments of Kerala and Tamil Nadu to make mandatory annual payments from their Consolidated Funds to the Devaswom Funds. This money is dedicated to maintaining Hindu temples and shrines that were part of the former Travancore-Cochin princely state before the borders were reorganized in 1956.

Official Text

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.

Simple Meaning

Explain Like Ten

When the state borders were changed in 1956, some famous temples were moved into Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The Constitution made a rule that these states must give a set amount of money every year to help look after these temples.

Student Mode

Inserted by the 7th Amendment (1956), Article 290A mandates statutory covenants post-states reorganization. It charges the Consolidated Fund of Kerala with an annual sum of ₹46,50,000 payable to the Travancore Devaswom Fund, and charges the Consolidated Fund of Tamil Nadu with ₹13,50,000 payable to the local Devaswom Fund. These funds are earmarked for the maintenance of temples in territories transferred from the former Travancore-Cochin princely state.

Example

Every year, the Kerala government pays ₹46.5 lakhs to the Travancore Devaswom Board (which manages famous temples like Sabarimala), and the Tamil Nadu government pays ₹13.5 lakhs to its Devaswom Fund for Kanyakumari temples. These payments are charged directly on the state funds as a constitutional obligation.

Key Takeaway

Kerala and Tamil Nadu are constitutionally mandated to pay specific annual sums to Devaswom Funds to maintain temples transferred during the 1956 state reorganization.

FAQs

Which states are obligated to make payments under Article 290A?

Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Why was Article 290A added?

When the princely state of Travancore-Cochin merged with India and was later reorganized, the state government had a pre-existing treaty obligation (covenant) to support these Hindu temples. Article 290A codified this obligation into the Constitution.

Quiz

What annual sum must the State of Kerala pay to the Travancore Devaswom Fund under Article 290A?

Answer: ₹46.5 lakhs

Article 290A payments are charged on:

Answer: The Consolidated Funds of Kerala and Tamil Nadu