Temple funds can be used only for temple property, with the state now conceding before the Madras High Court that land around the Pazhani temple will be registered in the temple’s name.
Temple activist TR Ramesh welcomed the submission made before the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, saying the government fairly conceded that the properties would now be bought using Pazhani Temple funds and in the name of the Pazhani Temple, with only formal approval pending.
The matter came up for final hearing before Justices G.R. Swaminathan and R. Poornima. Ramesh said he had challenged Government Order No. 321 dated 26.12.2022, which authorised the TN HR&CE department to acquire 58.76 acres around Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple in Pazhani using the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Administration Fund contributed by temples across Tamil Nadu.
According to Ramesh, the government told the court that the property would be in the name of Pazhani Devasthanam. He also said the court observed that the Administration Fund can be used only as provided under Sections 92 and 96 of the TN HR&CE Act, 1959.
Ramesh also criticised the HR&CE Department over temple income and arrears from temple-owned commercial complexes, alleging that the department was underreporting dues and wrongly treating temple property as its own.
Temple activist TR Ramesh says Temple funds must stay with temple property, as the Madras HC hearing on Pazhani land acquisition leads to a government concession in favour of the temple.
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