Date:17/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/17/stories/2008101759811000.htm

Tamil Nadu

Income ceiling for poor temples to be increased

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: The State government has decided to increase the income ceiling of financially weaker temples for receiving funds from affluent shrines.

At present, the annual income ceiling is Rs.40,000 for securing the financial support from the affluent temples. This will be increased to Rs.1 lakh.

A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting on chaired by K.R. Periyakaruppan, Hindu Religious and Charitable Minister, and attended by T. Pitchandi, Special Commissioner of the HR & CE department and G. Muthusamy, Tamil Development, Religious Endowment and Information Secretary, according to an official release. The government also decided to increase the payment under the special benefit fund from Rs.75,000 to Rs.1 lakh to families of temple employees who die in harness.

Special gratuity

A special gratuity of Rs.5,000 would be paid to the employees on retirement.

As in the previous year, a special pay would be paid to the staff for conducting temple festivals.