Don’t appropriate temple funds: Madras High Court to State Govt.

The Madras High Court in its recent order against the appropriation of temple funds worth Rs 45 Crores by the Tamil Nadu Government in absence of the trustees for the construction of old age homes in the State said that the Government cannot decide what trustees can decide alone and execute.

A division bench of Justice GR Swaminathan and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy has directed the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment department to not to appropriate temple funds, asking the Government as to how can they use the funds in absence of the trustees to establish old age homes.

The matter pertains to a notification issued by the department declaring construction of old age homes on the land belonging to the Arulmiu Devi Baliamman and Ilankaliamman temple at Villivakaam in Chennai.

The notification has stated that "Old Age Residences with all facilities will be started to sustain and protect senior citizens in Chennai, Pazhani and Tirunelveli at a cost of Rs. 5 Crores"

In addition to this, the notification had further stated that estimates were prepared and the estimates seeking approval were studied in this office and given approval by the sanctioning committee and finalised for Rs.45.00 Crores and the list of temples that shall undertake construction of Old Age Residences with all facilities to sustain and protect senior citizens were given.

Source: Firstpost