The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department has initiated the process of appointing non-hereditary trustees to 214 temples across Tamil Nadu. Officials stated that this move is aimed at strengthening temple administration.
Application Process
Applications can be submitted through the HR&CE website. Candidates may also upload completed forms and supporting documents or submit them in person or by speed post to the office of the regional joint commissioner concerned. The applications should be submitted before 5:45 PM on July 22.
Background
“Ideally, temple trustees should be in charge of the temple administration. But for many years, temples under the HR&CE were run by a ‘fit person’ appointed by the government. In some temples, the executive officer serves as the ‘fit person’,” said a senior HR&CE official.
Sources said this is the first phase of a larger exercise to appoint trustees. In this phase, appointments would be made for more than 500 temples that record an annual footfall of more than 10 lakh devotees. Over the next few years, the exercise is expected to be extended to nearly 31,000 temples.
Pending Appointments
According to HR&CE officials, appointments to temple trustee boards have remained pending for several years. During the previous government, trustees were appointed to only around 180 temples, and many of their terms are now nearing completion.
Officials said Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay and HR&CE Minister C Ramesh have directed the department to expedite the appointment process.
