40K acres of temple land transferred to private entities in the past: Ramesh

CHENNAI: HR&CE Minister S Ramesh on Friday alleged that previously, 40, 245 acres of temple lands had been transferred to private individuals through patta transfers, and recovering these lands was a major task before the TVK administration.

Key points

• The minister remarked 64 temples, with more than 1, 000 years of history, will be restored for Rs 125 crore.
• According to The minister, as part of efforts to restore dilapidated temples, restoration works in 152 temples will be carried out at an estimated cost of `35 crore.
• Besides, 108 rare devotional Tamil books as well as English translations of temple histories will be published.
• Ramesh remarked approximately `108 crore in outstanding temple revenue has been recovered by the TVK administration.
• A heritage temple tour will be organised for 2, 000 devotees to highlight the history, inscriptions, architecture, sculptures and paintings of significant temples.

Responding to discussions in the assembly during the demand for grants for his department, Ramesh remarked around 33, 949 acres had been erroneously transferred to private individuals while computerised Chitta records were being prepared, and the TVK administration was taking steps to recover them. He continued that, over the past 100 days, the administration had pursued appeals to recover approximately 464 acres of temple lands as part of its efforts to retrieve and protect temple properties.

Ramesh remarked approximately `108 crore in outstanding temple revenue has been recovered by the TVK administration. A further `2, 000 crore in revenue remains outstanding, and all necessary steps are being taken to recover this amount and bring it into the government's coffers as well.

Announcing a series of measures for the renovation and development of temples throughout the state, he stated restoration of 64 temples that are more than 1, 000 years old will be taken up at Rs 125 crore.

According to The minister, as part of efforts to restore dilapidated temples, restoration works in 152 temples will be carried out at an estimated cost of `35 crore. Renovation of 75 completely dilapidated temples and 75 partially dilapidated temples will be taken up at `85 crore.

He additionally unveiled a series of initiatives to preserve Tamil Nadu's temple heritage and folk traditions, including an annual Village Deities Cultural Festival featuring folk arts, traditional theatre and drama. A heritage temple tour will be organised for 2, 000 devotees to highlight the history, inscriptions, architecture, sculptures and paintings of significant temples.

While the Elephant Welfare Camp at Thekkampatti will be revived with `3 crore in administration funding, special worship and community feasts will be held at major temples on July 15 to mark the birth anniversary of former Chief Minister K Kamaraj. Besides, 108 rare devotional Tamil books as well as English translations of temple histories will be published.

Notably, the minister remarked 64 temples, with more than 1, 000 years of history, will be restored for Rs 125 crore. He additionally unveiled a series of initiatives to preserve Tamil Nadu's folk traditions.

For now, 40K acres of temple land transferred to private entities in the past: remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.