Haryana Establishes Authority for Antrarashtriya Gita Jyanti Mela Management

The Haryana Legislature enacted The Haryana Antrarashtriya Gita Jyanti Mela Authority Act, 2024 (Haryana Act No. 7 of 2024), which received the Governor's assent on March 15, 2024, and was subsequently published in the Official Gazette on March 20, 2024, thereby coming into force on that date. This legislation provides for the establishment and constitution of a dedicated authority to manage, conduct, and regulate the Antrarashtriya Gita Jyanti Mela, not only within the state but also internationally, along with all connected and incidental matters. The Act outlines the formation of the Haryana Antrarashtriya Gita Jyanti Mela Authority as a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal, empowered to acquire and dispose of property and enter into contracts. The Authority's composition includes the Chief Minister of Haryana as Chairperson, the Minister-in-Charge of the Urban Local Bodies Department as Senior Vice-Chairperson, and various administrative secretaries and officials as ex-officio members, alongside nominated eminent and distinguished persons. Key functions of the Authority include popularizing and disseminating the teachings of Srimad Bhagavad Gita, organizing cultural and educational events, providing civic amenities, health facilities, clean potable water, and electricity in mela areas, establishing police posts for law and order, and developing green zones. The Act also details the appointment of a Chief Executive Officer, an Indian Administrative Services officer with a minimum of five years of service, to oversee arrangements and enforce regulations, including temporary space allotment, public safety, and traffic management. The Authority is mandated to maintain a fund, crediting grants from state and central governments, fees, charges, and donations, to be utilized for organizing melas, providing visitor amenities, and ensuring safety. The legislation provided: “AN ACT to provide for the establishment and constitution of an authority for the purposes of management, conduct and regulation of the mela anywhere in the world and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.”

The legislative intent behind the Haryana Antrarashtriya Gita Jyanti Mela Authority Act, 2024, is to create a robust and centralized statutory framework for the comprehensive organization and promotion of the Antrarashtriya Gita Jyanti Mela. Prior to this enactment, the management of such a significant cultural and religious event likely lacked a dedicated, legally empowered body capable of ensuring consistent standards and global outreach. The Act addresses this gap by establishing an Authority with specific powers to manage all facets of the mela, from infrastructure and public services to cultural dissemination and financial sustainability. It aims to streamline operations, enhance visitor experience, and ensure the preservation of environmental standards through provisions like the creation of "green zones" (areas free from polythene and garbage, aligning with the Swachh Bharat Mission). The legislation introduces new obligations for organizers and attendees, including penalties for unauthorized construction, improper waste disposal, and operating without a license, with punishments ranging from simple imprisonment to fines. The Act also empowers the State Government to confer powers from the Haryana Municipal Act, 1973, or the Haryana Municipal Corporation Act, 1994, onto the Authority, integrating local governance mechanisms for effective mela area management. Enforcement mechanisms are clearly defined, with the Chief Executive Officer authorized to take action against non-performing officials and to ensure compliance with the Act's provisions. The Authority is required to make regulations for managing facilities, levying tolls and fees, and ensuring the smooth conduct of the mela, with such regulations coming into effect upon publication on the Authority's website.

Keywords: Haryana, Gita Jyanti Mela, Mela Authority, Legislative Act, 2024, Kurukshetra, Cultural Heritage, Event Management, State Legislation, Bhagavad Gita

Geo Tags: India, Haryana District: Kurukshetra