HC comes to rescue of govt college sculpture graduates

The Madras High Court has directed the Tamil Nadu government to appoint sthapathi degree holders from Government College of Architecture and Sculpture, Mamallapuram, in the post of Sthapat

Allowing a petition moved by a degree holder of the college, Justice R Mahadevan said, “This Court is unable to comprehend as to why the services of the graduates from the College was not utilized and as to why the government has not created permanent posts of engineers, draftsman and sthapathis, when there is requirement and when the engineers from other departments have been continuously deputed to the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department.”

Also, on setting aside the submission by the counsel appearing for HR&CE that it is not the duty of the government to create jobs and it is for the graduates to look out a job of their choice, the judge said, “The object of establishment of the college was itself to avail the services of the graduates in renovation work of the temples.”

Further noting that a mere establishment of a college of this kind without opportunity of employment, would not serve the purpose for which it was established way back in 1956, Justice Mahadevan further held, “While the college has produced several graduates, the government has not availed their services in the renovation of temples, despite the same being one of the reasons for the establishment of the institution itself.”

“The education on the craft of sculpting, if not put into practice, would by no means, preserve the craft; and the government, instead of appointing qualified people, cannot continue to avail the services of personnel deputed from other departments for eternity,” he added.

Based on this, he directed the Tamil Nadu State represented by its Secretary, Tourism, Art and Culture, Hindu Religious Endowments & Information, to finalise and bring into life the HR&CE Engineering and Subordinate Service Rules within three months to enable the appointment of Sthapathi degree holders.

Justice Mahadevan in his order also directed the Renovation and Conservation Wing for HR&CE Department to implement the objects, for which, it was constituted, in order to preserve/resurrect/restoration of temples and its sculpture. 

The judge in his order also held that the post of sthapathis shall be appointed, taking note of the number of temples in each Block, constitute the Advisory Committee as per section 7 of the HR&CE Act and the Committee already constituted with the Principal of the College as Chairman alone would be entitled to countersign and give opinions on the renovation of the temples and resurrection of the idols, images, paintings, pillars or any scriptures or any other matters of ancient or historical importance.

He also held that the services of staff from other departments is to be periodically reduced keeping in mind the period of deputation, which is three years and in case of any need, they are used only for the limited purpose of estimation and civil works.