The Tamil Nadu government has told the Madras High Court that forty-eight ‘Senior Grade’ temples have been directed to live stream the opening of their donation boxes on their respective YouTube channels.
The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department made the submission before the court in a counter affidavit filed in a case involving concerns of irregularities in the management of temple funds.
The HR&CE department told the court that the state govt has also instructed to comply with the provisions of the Installation, Safeguarding and Accounting of Hundial Rules of 1975.
The state govt also submitted that once the donation boxes are opened, detailed records of all cash, ornaments and all other articles found inside are prepared immediately by the temple authorities. It also said that often such boxes are opened in the presence of the general public and the temple register containing records of donations is signed by two members of the general public each time new entries are made.
The court was hearing a batch of petitions highlighting instances of theft of cash and gold ornaments from donation boxes.
The court posted the matter for further hearing on January 11, 2024.
