Alternative arrangements can be introduced if devotees face inconvience: Min
Chennai: HR&CE minister S Ramesh on Thursday said the department could consider waiving the ₹5 mobile phone deposit fee at temples and introduce alternative arrangements if devotees face inconvenience. The latest expansion involves setting up dedicated counters at 52 senior-grade temples.
Authorities had been specifically told not to restrict pregnant women, parents carrying infants, senior citizens or persons with disabilities. Feedback from devotees would be taken into account, and changes would be made wherever necessary, he said. “The ₹5 charge is not intended to generate revenue,” Ramesh said, adding that the govt would also examine the possibility of removing it depending on the financial position of individual temples. The aim is to encourage devotees to experience the temples without distraction, he said.
Temple administrations had been instructed to ensure that devotees did not have to stand in long queues or face difficulties while depositing their phones.