Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
MADURAI, TAMIL NADU, INDIA, October 27. 2010: Employees of temples seized and now administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable endowment Board observed a “sit-in” strike today, demanding implementation of the sixth pay commission recommendations and pay parity with Government employees.
As a result, ticket sales at major temples was partially paralyzed. They included the Meenakshi temple and Sri Murugan temple at Tiruparankunram, Palani, Tiruchendur, Srivilliputhur, Alagarcoil and Ramanathaswamy temple at Rameswaram, Srirangam Ranganathaswamy temple, Sri Mariamman temple at Samayapuram and others. Ticket sales were also affected at Srirangam Ranganathaswamy temple and Sri Mariamman temple at Samayapuram.
Though authorities had made arrangements to issue tickets through sweepers and security staff engaged through agencies, ticket sales were almost nil. People had free darshan through special queues. In Rameswaram temple, the fee for bathing in various holy waters was not collected.