Trustees for all temples in TN soon: Minister

Kanyakumari, June 1: Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment(HR&CE) Minister K R Periyakaruppan today said trustees would be appointed soon for all categories of temples in the state.

Talking to newspersons here, he said temples in the state have been segregated into big, small and revenue-oriented. Free mid-day meal was being provided at 360 temples in the state and HR&CE ministry was monitoring the progress in 180 temples, he added.

Mr Periyakaruppan said his department had initiated steps to review the progress for the promotion of temple tourism in the state to facilitate the process for devotees.

The minister said based on the plan that all castes could become priests, veda padasala was started at Chennai, Tirichirapalli, Tiruvannamalai, Tiruchendur, Palani amd Madurai. Out of 1300 applicants, 240 candidates were selected and they were provided with food, cloth and shelter at free of cost, he added.

He said the Government had allotted Rs 15 crore for the maintenance of 260 cars in temples, as the remaining 600 cars were in good condition. Efforts were on to provide golden car for the Bhagawati Amman temple at an estimated cost of Rs one crore, he added.

UNI