Combating encroachment on temple lands
Chennai: The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department has reclaimed 105.14 acres of encroached temple land worth ₹112.95 crore and collected ₹198.25 crore in rental arrears since the current government assumed office. The meeting assessed progress in recovering temple properties, collecting rent, renovating temples and implementing announcements made during the 2026-27 Assembly grant demands. Joint Commissioner courts disposed of 999 cases under Section 78 of the HR&CE Act, facilitating the recovery of the encroached land, according to a release. Officials have also surveyed 16,657.69 acres of temple land and installed 12,373 boundary stones. The department has also reported progress on several announcements made during the 2026-27 Assembly grant demands.
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The numbers were reviewed at a meeting chaired by HR&CE minister S Ramesh at a meeting held in Chennai on Thursday.