Jammu and Kashmir Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Act, 2000

No: 18 Dated: Nov, 15 2000

THE JAMMU AND KASHMIR SHRI AMARNATH JI SHRINE ACT, 2000

(Act No. XVIII of 2000)

    An Act to provide for the constitution of a Board for the better management of the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, upgradation of facilities for holy pilgrims and matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

Be it enacted by the Jammu and Kashmir State Legislature in the Fifty-first Year of the Republic of India as follows :-

1. Short title and commencement. - (1) This Act may be called the Jammu and Kashmir Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Act, 2000.

(2) It shall come into force on such date as the Government, may, by notification in the Government Gazette, appoint.

2. Act to over-ride other laws. - This Act shall have effect notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any law or in any scheme of management, decree, custom, usage or instrument.

3. Definitions. - In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,-

(a) "Board" means the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board constituted under this Act ;

(b) "Board Fund" means such grant-in-aid as may be received from the State Government, Government of India contributions from philanthropic organisation/persons nongovernmental organisations, any registration fee that might be required to be paid under rules by pilgrims or others who initiate economic activity in route, and the Chadawa;

(c) "Chadawa" means offerings made by pilgrims;

(d) "prescribed" means the prescribed by the bye-laws made under this Act ;

(e) "the Shrine" means the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine.

4. The Board. - (1) The administration, management and governance of the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine and the Board Fund shall vest in a Board comprising a Chairman, and not more than ten Members. The composition of the Board shall be as follows :-

(a) The Governor of the State of Jammu and Kashmir, if he be a Hindu, shall be the ex-officio Chairman of the Board, and if the Governor be not a Hindu, then he may nominate any eminent person of the State, professing the Hindu religion, and otherwise qualified to be a Member to function as the Chairman of the Board.

(b) Nine persons to be nominated by the Governor of Jammu Kashmir in the following manner:-

(i) Two persons who, in the opinion of the Governor, have distinguished themselves in the service of Hindu religion or culture;

(ii) Two women, who in the opinion of the Governor, have distinguished themselves in the service of Hindu religion, or culture or social work, especially in regard to advancement of women;

(iii) Three persons, out of persons who have distinguished themselves in administration, legal affairs or financial matters;

(iv) Two eminent Hindus of the State of Jammu and Kashmir:

Provided that during the period not exceeding three months from the commencement of this Act, the Governor shall act as and exercise ail the powers of the Board under this Act.

    (2) A person shall not be eligible for being nominated as a Member, or for being a Member of the Board, if he suffers or incurs any of the disqualifications specified in section 7.

5. Incorporation. - The Board shall be a body corporate and shall have perpetual succession and a common seal and may by the said name sue and be sued.

6. Term of office of the Members. - The nominated Members of the Board other than the Chairman shall, subject to the provisions of sections 7 and 8, hold office for a term of three years from the date of their nomination under section 4.