CHENNAI, INDIA, May 9, 2012 (Hindu Businessline): To check encroachment the Tamil Nadu government today said it will create a database of 478,000 acres of temple land coming under its control.
The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Minister, Mr. M.S.M. Anandan informed the state assembly that software detailing movable and immovable property belonging to temples, mutts and trusts under the Ministry had been created for the purpose.
A database will be created for the benefit of officials to find details of land at one touch and thereby prevent encroachment of temple lands and ensure their retrieval, besides collecting lease amounts on time from persons who had leased the land, he said.
[HPI note: It is good to remember that at least one case has surfaced of the government using temple resources and facilities for secular, administrative purposes. There has not been any indication yet that the database of temple lands will be created with a similar intent in mind.]