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The Madras High Court is expected to get details by the Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments department today, on the number of temples which have been given relaxation from Covid19 lockdown as well as the number of temples which continue to remain closed.

On July 19, the Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments department told Madras high Court that almost 84 per cent of the temples under its control do not have access to enough revenue for appointing a priest and caretaker.

The HR&CE further had stated that almost 30 per cent temples cannot afford expenses for performing even one puja ritual per day.

A bench of Justices MM Sundresh and R. Hemlatha were hearing a plea by RR Gopaljee to pass appropriate directions under Section 35(2) of the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious & Endowments Act 1959, to make appropriate arrangements for financial assistance to all skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled individuals without limitation but including archakas, battacharyas, pujaris adyapakas, vedaparayanikas, othuvars, musicians, torch bearers, etc., who work for the temples under the control of the Tamil Nadu Government during the pandemic, keeping in mind the fact that they were dependent on temples which were locked since March 25 due to lockdown.

The counter affidavit has been filed by the HR&CE which states that there there were only 7000 financially stable temples which could take care of their needs from their own sources of revenue & that only 1000 temples had surplus funds in banks under name of deity.

The logistical expenses of temples were put forth by the HR&CE department in its counter affidavit which said that even though the financial situation of temples in the state was very poor, the temple staff was still being paid during the pandemic and that Government Orders had been issued to provide financial assistance under the Village Temples Poosaries Welfare Fund.