Chennai: In terms of its sheer extent of properties and geographical spread of over 38,000 temples under its control, the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR & CE) department appears to manage with the existing officials, though there have been pleas from several quarters to appoint more officials to effectively manage the temples.
Despite increasing complaints of usurpation of land, temples continue to be managed with only a handful of official who are entrusted with the task of managing additional temples in the region. "At least on an average an executive officer has to take care of about 50 temples. This makes it rather arduous to undertake inspection on a regular basis or even oversee the activities in each and every temple," an official said.
Sources claimed that though about 120 officials had retired since the last three years, only a few have been appointed.
"Each Religious Institution and Charitable Endowment is a separate legal entity and is empowered to appoint its own employees. However, the Commissioner is authorised to appoint Executive Officers under section 45 (1) of the Act and Rules framed there under for Executive Officers," an official explained.
Depending upon the significance, revenue, assets, workload and other activities of the temple, the department had created various grades of Executive Officer posts in temples ranging from EO Grade IV up to the rank of Join Commissioner.
Executive Officers in the cadre of Joint Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner are appointed in temples which have an annual income of Rs 50 lakh and above. At present, there are 47 such temples which are considered as senior grade temples.
