Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Tamil Nadu Minister Defends Assembly Replies and Temple Reforms
Tamil Nadu Minister S. Ramesh said ministers can answer questions about the Chief Minister and the government.
He said this is part of running the Assembly democratically.
He accused opposition members of using bad language and disrupting proceedings.
He also said the government is working to improve the quality of rice given through ration shops.
The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department is restoring old temples and repairing damaged shrines.
Some temple projects worth Rs 246 crore were cancelled because they had not started or were not considered useful.
The money will instead help devotees and pay for ongoing temple work.
Phone deposit counters will be added at more than 50 temples to prevent unauthorised photos and videos.
HR&CE Minister S. Ramesh defended senior ministers answering questions related to the Chief Minister and government.
Ramesh accused opposition members of disrupting Assembly proceedings and using unparliamentary language.
He said corrective measures are being taken after complaints about poor-quality ration rice.
The minister highlighted temple restoration, cancelled Rs 246 crore in unviable projects, and pending renovation liabilities of about Rs 400 crore.
Mobile-phone deposit counters will be established at more than 50 senior-grade temples under High Court directives.
- Who
- Tamil Nadu HR&CE Minister S. Ramesh, senior ministers, opposition Assembly members, temple authorities and devotees.
- What
- Ramesh defended ministers’ Assembly replies and outlined measures involving ration supplies, temple restoration, finances, crowd management and phone restrictions.
- When
- Ramesh made the comments to media persons on Sunday during the ongoing budget session.
- Where
- The remarks were made at Tiruchirappalli; the temple measures apply across Tamil Nadu, including Tiruchendur.
- Why
- He was responding to criticism of ministers’ Assembly replies, opposition conduct, ration quality, temple projects and temple-management policies.
Government Position
Opposition Criticism
Ministers answering for the Chief Minister
Government Position
Ramesh said all concerned ministers replying to opposition questions is consistent with democratic Assembly practice.
Opposition Criticism
The article reports criticism over senior ministers N. Anand and Adhav Arjuna answering queries connected to the Chief Minister and government.
Assembly conduct
Government Position
Ramesh said opposition members repeatedly disrupted proceedings and used abusive or unparliamentary language, supporting the Speaker’s decision to expunge remarks.
Opposition Criticism
Opposition members are described as challenging the government’s handling of Assembly proceedings, although their detailed response is not provided.
Anbil Mariamman Temple mandapam
Government Position
Ramesh said the dedicated rest hall is for devotees who have recovered from pox infections and are fulfilling vows.
Opposition Criticism
The opposition narrative, as described by Ramesh, claimed the mandapam was intended for people still suffering from pox infections; he called that claim false propaganda.
- Minister
- S. Ramesh, Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Minister
- Cancelled tenders
- Tenders worth Rs 246 crore for unviable and uncommenced works were cancelled.
- Pending liabilities
- About Rs 400 crore in liabilities remain for ongoing temple renovation works.
- Temple restoration
- Works include restoration of 1,000-year-old temples, reconstruction of dilapidated shrines and consecration ceremonies.
- Crowd management
- The minister said 80 to 90 per cent of irregularities and darshan malpractices at Tiruchendur had been controlled.
- Temple phone counters
- Phone deposit counters are being established at more than 50 senior-grade temples.
- Ration supplies
- The government acknowledged complaints about ration rice quality and said corrective action was underway.