The Religious Endowments Act, 18631
Act No. 20 of 1863
[10th March, 1863.]
An Act to enable the Government to divest itself of the management of Religious Endowments.
Preamble.-
Whereas it is expedient to relieve the Boards of Revenue, and the local Agents, in the Presidency of Fort William in Bengal, and the Presidency of Fort Saint George, from the duties imposed on them by Regulation XIX, 1810 (Ben. Reg. 19 of 1810), of the Bengal Code (for the due appropriation of the rents and produce of lands granted for the support of Mosques, Hindu Temples, Colleges and other purposes; for the maintenance and repair of Bridges, Sarais, Kattras, and other public buildings; and for the custody and disposal of Nazul Property or Escheats), and Regulation VII, 1817 (Mad. Reg. 7 of 1817), of the Madras Code (for the due appropriation of the rents and produce of lands granted for the support of Mosques, Hindu Temples and Colleges or other public purposes; for the maintenance and repair of Bridges, Choultries, or Chattrams, and other public buildings; and for the custody and disposal of Escheats), so far as those duties embrace the superintendence of lands granted for the support of Mosques or Hindu Temples and for other religious uses; the appropriation of endowments made for the maintenance of such religious establishments; the repair and preservation of buildings connected therewith, and the appointment of trustees or managers thereof; or involve any connexion with the management of such religious establishments;2***
It is enacted as follows:-