Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments S. Ramesh on Wednesday instructed executive officers to work in tandem with officials of revenue and forest Departments to retrieve lands belonging to temples in the State. 

Addressing officials during a routine review of works at the department headquarters in Nungambakkam, the Minister also said that they should take a tough stance when it comes to encroachments and illegal name transfers of temple properties. “If you come across any such instance, ensure that you file a complaint with the police immediately and obtain an FIR,” he said.

CCTV cameras should be installed and maintained properly in temples that witness heavy crowds regularly. Devotees wanting to eat the Annadhanam should not be made to wait for long periods before the food is served, he added.