Illegal Deputation of Government Officers to Temples Challenged

Shri T.R. Ramesh, the president of Indic Collective, filed a PIL in the Madras High Court challenging the illegal appointment of Officers/Servants of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR & CE) Department to Hindu temples and endowments across Tamil Nadu. The petition challenges appointment of HR & CE employees on deputation in temples, in addition to the Executive Officer, and paying their salaries from temple funds as impermissible and illegal. The Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act of 1959, does not permit appointment of a Government Servant, except for the position of an Executive Officer, to any posts or positions in the Hindu Religious Institutions, by any authority.

Addressing our plea seeking stay on further appointments and engagement of any person in the HRCE administered temples, the Madras High Court held that an injunction would prove counterproductive and may impede administration and regular running of large temple complexes but stressed on expeditious appointment of Temple Trustees by the district-level committees. The said order dated 27.10.2021 is available below.

Foreign_Service_Interim_Order_27.10.2021