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

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

Projects approved under previous government withdrawn

According to the official order issued by the HR&CE Department, administrative sanction has been revoked for 29 marriage hall projects estimated at Rs 115.77 crore and 17 commercial complex projects estimated at Rs 130.08 crore.

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

Officials noted that despite being announced and sanctioned during the previous administration, none of the projects had commenced construction.

The government has therefore decided to withdraw the approvals and reassess the utilisation of temple funds.

Court orders and financial concerns cited

The HR&CE Department stated that several of the projects had run into legal hurdles, including court stay orders, which delayed their implementation.

In addition, the department observed that the proposed expenditure would have placed a significant financial burden on temples, many of which rely on their revenues for maintenance, renovation and religious activities.

The government has maintained that temple resources should be utilised prudently and prioritised for activities directly benefiting temples and devotees.

Officials said the decision was taken after reviewing the financial implications and feasibility of the projects.

Funds to be redirected towards temple welfare

The HR&CE Department said the funds originally earmarked for the cancelled projects would now be utilised for new schemes aimed at improving temple infrastructure and enhancing facilities for devotees.

The move marks a significant policy shift in the use of temple resources, with the TVK government placing greater emphasis on temple welfare and religious infrastructure rather than commercial and community development projects funded through temple revenues.

The department has indicated that future projects involving temple funds will be evaluated more carefully to ensure they align with the interests of temples and devotees.

Policy shift in temple resource management

The cancellation of projects worth nearly Rs 246 crore is one of the most significant decisions taken by the new government concerning temple administration and finances.

The previous DMK government had proposed the construction of marriage halls and commercial complexes as revenue-generating and community-oriented initiatives. However, the present administration has taken the view that temple resources should primarily serve religious and welfare purposes.

The decision is expected to trigger political debate over the utilisation of temple funds and the role of the government in managing temple resources.

With the approvals now withdrawn, the state government is likely to formulate new schemes focusing on temple conservation, infrastructure development and improved facilities for devotees across Tamil Nadu.