HRCE Minister Ramesh issues sweeping new directives on temple administration — cleanliness, financial transparency and public access now mandatory

HR&CE Minister Ramesh, who represents the temple town of Srirangam, on Sunday issued sweeping new directives for all temples managed under the HR&CE department across Tamil Nadu.

The minister declared that cleanliness, financial transparency, and public access at all HR&CE temples would be mandatory standards going forward.

HR&CE is one of Tamil Nadu's most sensitive government departments, managing thousands of temples, vast landed properties, funds, and priest appointments.

In Tamil Nadu's political history, temple administration has been closely intertwined with social justice debates, including the longstanding push for non-Brahmin priests at Agamic temples.

The directives mark the new TVK government's first major policy intervention in temple governance, signalling that CM Vijay's administration intends to bring administrative reform to religious institutions.