Executive officers (EOs) of temples in Tamil Nadu are on a protest stressing various demands, including the appointment of trustees for temples and clerks for maintaining accounts of properties.
“The term of trusteeship of many persons who were appointed is over now and several temples are without trustees. This means that EOs have to perform their duties as well. Even large temples do not have trustees. We are only around 600 officers taking care of around 40,000 temples. The workload is unbearable,” said an office-bearer of the Tamil Nadu Temples Executive Officers Federation.
Many of them are wearing black badges to work and the Federation plans to hold a larger protest this month end if their 16 demands are not met.
“Land revenue records are being streamlined after several decades, and many properties are being brought back under the control of temples. But we are unable to put them to good use and bring income to the temples mainly due to interference of local politicians. Even e-tendering of works above ₹50 lakh are being stopped at several places,” said another office-bearer who chose to remain anonymous.
The lack of vasool gumaastha (a clerk keeping track of accounts of rents) was pointed out by one member, who said that in many cases, the EOs themselves were forced to maintain these accounts.
The Federation also called for the transfers of officials within geographical regions and time-bound promotions.
Published – December 24, 2024 12:47 pm IST