TVK government scraps 46 DMK-era temple projects worth Rs 245.85 crore

The TVK government has withdrawn sanctions for 46 temple-funded projects cleared under the previous DMK administration. The HR&CE Department said court stays and the burden on temple finances led to the shift towards temple and devotee-focused schemes.

In Short

• Court stay orders and temple finances drove the department's withdrawal decision
• Twenty-nine marriage hall proposals were estimated to cost Rs 115.77 crore
• Seventeen commercial complex plans had a projected outlay of Rs 130.08 crore

The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government has cancelled administrative sanctions for 46 projects worth Rs 245.85 crore that were approved during the previous Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) administration and were to be funded through temple resources.

The decision was announced by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department, which said the projects included the construction of marriage halls and commercial complexes across the state. The department cited court stay orders and the financial burden on temples as the primary reasons for withdrawing the approvals.

According to the order, administrative sanction has been revoked for 29 marriage hall construction projects estimated at Rs 115.77 crore and 17 commercial complex projects estimated at Rs 130.08 crore. None of the projects had commenced construction despite being announced earlier.

In total, approvals for 46 projects valued at Rs 245.85 crore have now been cancelled.

The HR&CE Department said the funds earmarked for these projects will instead be utilised for new schemes aimed at benefiting temples and devotees. The move marks a significant policy shift in the use of temple resources, with the government emphasizing temple welfare and religious infrastructure over the previously planned commercial and community development projects.

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