Minister Defends Lifting of Land Curbs and Outlines Strategy for Temple Assets

Legal Status of the Karur Survey Numbers

Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE), Ramesh, has dismissed criticisms regarding the removal of registration bans on 471 survey numbers in Karur. Speaking in a recent interview, the Minister stated that these specific land titles were never registered in the name of any temple. Instead, individual titles were established under the Inam Abolition Act roughly 60 to 70 years ago. Mr. Ramesh highlighted that primary revenue documents, including the UDR records and computerized chittas, consistently reflect individual names rather than religious institutions.

The Minister provided evidence of historical ownership by noting that the state has previously acquired parts of these lands for public works. During those acquisitions, the government paid compensation directly to the titleholders. For decades, these owners have managed their properties, secured bank loans, and built residences. According to the Minister, no temple has initiated civil litigation to claim ownership over these 471 sites. He also observed that both the AIADMK and BJP had previously pledged to lift these specific restrictions in their election manifestos.

Verification Reforms Following Palani Land Dispute

A recent controversy involving the Dhandayuthapaniswamy Mutt in Palani has prompted a new verification protocol. While the Minister acknowledged that attempts to sell the mutt's land began before the current TVK administration, a breach occurred when a temporary official registered the property in a single day, ignoring earlier warnings from the HR&CE Joint Commissioner. In response, the case has been transferred to the CB-CID for an impartial investigation following a police complaint and an order from the Chief Minister.

Moving forward, the government is expanding a pilot initiative to audit all major temple properties. A specialized committee, featuring officials from both the HR&CE and Revenue Departments, will oversee this survey. This initiative aims to protect religious landholdings and prevent similar fraudulent registrations in the future.

Tactics for Rent Recovery and Eviction

The HR&CE Department is also addressing systemic issues in revenue collection from existing temple properties. Minister Ramesh identified two primary categories of non-payment: persistent defaulters and multi-generational occupants who claim immunity from arrears due to a lack of current lease agreements. To counter these issues, the department has implemented several measures:

• Establishing fixed monthly collection targets for zonal officials to improve accountability.
• Issuing statutory notices under Section 78 to those with significant arrears.
• Initiating formal eviction and repossession proceedings against non-compliant tenants.

The Minister emphasized that the department is determined to enforce cooperation through legal channels where necessary to secure the financial interests of the state's temples.

Source: The Hindu — Home