Second rope car for Palani temple within two years, says Sekar Babu 

‘A complete ban on plastic bags will be enforced on temple premises’

The second rope car would be launched at Sri Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple in Palani within two years, said Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Minister P.K. Sekar Babu.

Talking to reporters at Thadikombu near Dindigul on Saturday, he said the government would soon consider reducing rope car fares.

Later, Mr. Sekar Babu, along with Food and Civil Supplies Minister R. Sakkarapani, laid the foundation stone for the construction of a footpath around the playground at Arulmigu Palaniandavar College of Arts and Culture in Palani.

The request from various sections to anoint the deity at Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple with ‘Seethapanthana marundhu’ in view of the kumbabhishekam would be taken to the notice of the Chief Minister. A complete ban on plastic bags would be enforced on temple premises and use of cloth bags would be encouraged, he said.

Speaking to the press at different places in the district during his inspection of temples, he said staff and priests working in HR & CE-controlled temples for five years would soon be made permanent.

He said only 530 of the 44,000 temples in the State generated revenue. Only 25% of the temples’ revenue must be used to carry out maintenance works and issue salaries to workers.

Work to separate gold offerings in hundial collection was under way at Periyapalayam Bhavani Amman Temple and it would be executed in all temples as per court direction, he said.