(1) The State Government may by rules regulate the emoluments, hours of work and other conditions of service of the archakas. Such rules may provide for appointment and termination of employment, leave and working hours, rotation of work, 1[retirement of non-hereditary Archaks and temple servants]1 terminal benefits, misconduct and disciplinary action.
2[(2) the emoluments, pay and allowances of Archaks and temple servants shall be fair and reasonable having due regard to the income, usage, custom and tradition prevailing in the respective notified institution. The State Government may classify the temples into two or more classes based on their income, as may be prescribed.]2
(3) In determining the emoluments payable to archakas in all category of temples, the State Government shall take into account;
(i) entitlement of the Archakas to appropriate the thattekasu and other offerings by the devotees at the time of pooja or other seva;
(ii) Any amount receivable by the archaka as a percentage of the fees fixed by the committee of management for the various sevas offered at the temples.
(iii) Avocation other than the temple service which the archakas may be free to undertake during the term of employment.
(iv) Timing if any specified by the committee of management or the State Government, to keep the temple open to public for performing poojas or other sevas, in a day.
(v) Accommodation and other benefits in kind offered by the committee of management for the residence and livelihood of the archakas.
(4) The emoluments so determined shall be not less than the minimum rate and not more than the maximum rate as may be prescribed in the rules in keeping with the class of the temple.
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Explanation: For the purpose of this section the word archaka shall include an Agamika, a Tanthri or a Pradhana Archaka wherever appointed.
1. Inserted by Act 27 of 2011 w.e.f. 04.05.2011.
2. Substituted by Act 27 of 2011 w.e.f. 04.05.2011.