Temple Funds Reallocated: Tamil Nadu Cancels 46 HR&CE Projects Worth ₹246 Crore

The Tamil Nadu government has cancelled 46 projects worth ₹246 crore that were approved under the previous administration using funds from temples managed by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department .

The projects included the construction of 29 marriage halls and 17 commercial complexes , all of which had received administrative approval but had not yet been launched. Officials said the decision was taken to ensure that temple funds are used for the welfare of temples and devotees rather than commercial ventures.

According to government sources, the move is aimed at protecting temple finances and preventing resources from being diverted away from religious and heritage-related needs. Revenue generated by major temples had previously been earmarked for welfare initiatives, community infrastructure and commercial projects.

The decision comes amid growing demands from Hindu organisations, including the Hindu Munnani, which have long opposed the use of temple funds for non-religious purposes. These groups have argued that temple assets should be reserved exclusively for the maintenance, development and administration of religious institutions.

The cancellation also forms part of a broader push for administrative reforms in the HR&CE Department . In his recent address to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar announced plans for comprehensive audits of temple properties, digitised accounting systems and stronger safeguards for temple assets .

Officials said the reforms are intended to improve transparency, recover lost or encroached properties and ensure that all temple resources are utilised solely for their intended sacred purposes.

The decision marks a significant policy shift and is expected to fuel political debate over the management of temple revenues and the role of the state in administering religious institutions.