source: Chennai Online, May 4, 2007

Chennai, May 4: The Tamil Nadu government would regularise encroachments on temple lands, Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments K R Periyakaruppan said today.

Replying to the discussion on demands for grants for his department in the Assembly, he said persons who had constructed houses on such lands could regularise their houses by paying designated sums in instalments.

This move was expected to benefit 21,000 families and also earn huge revenue for temples, the minister said.

He also announced that an amount of Rs 9.8 crore has been allotted for renovating 48 ancient temples in the state. A Temple Protection Force has been formed to safeguard valuables in temples and safeguard the icons there, he said.

"Presently 1,000 Grade II constables and 2,687 ex-servicemen are deployed in about 2,700 temples in the state and these personnel are attached to local police stations for administrative purposes," he said.

Earlier, participating in the discussion, PMK member Kannan requested the government to grant subsidy to pilgrims visiting Kailash or Kasi, two holy places of the Hindus.

However, Electricity Minister Arcot N Veerasamy, in his reply, said there was no such proposal. (Our Correspondent)