'Why Only 25 Strong Rooms Constructed In Temples In 5 Years, When Funds Sanctioned For Over 1000?': Madras HC Asks HRCE Department

A Division Bench of the Madras High Court comprising Justices R Mahadevan and PD Audikesavulu, constituted to hear cases regarding temples, questioned the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HRCE) Department for being able to construct only 25 strong rooms in temples, when funds had been sanctioned for over 1000 temples in 2018.

A G.O. dated 1 November, 2018 had sanctioned Rs 308 crore for the purpose after the Court had ordered the construction in 2017.

The strong rooms are meant to safeguard the idols belonging to the temples.

NRR Arun Natarajan, the Special Government Pleader (HRCE) said that the delay was because the Department wanted uniformity in the construction across temples. Further, he said that construction would be speeded up in the next three months.

The Bench then asked him to submit a detailed roadmap during the next hearing on 31 August.