Chennai, September 30, 2013: The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department may soon take over temples in the city run by individuals and trusts.

All temples in the State came under the purview of the HR&CE Act, an official said. The department only enforces the Act.

“Even after we bring the temples under the control of the department, the trusts can continue to administer them with certain conditions. The temples can benefit from various government schemes including provision of funds for renovation. There would be 400-odd temples in Chennai outside the effective control of the department,” the official said.

Elaborating on government schemes, the official said most temple thefts took place in ones managed by private trusts or families.

“In the past one year, there have been thefts in at least 25 such temples. We have asked them to strengthen security in these temples,” the official said.

Source: the Hindu, September 30, 2013