Increase in annual grant for temples, educational institutions

: The Tamil Nadu government today announced an increase in the annual grant provided for managing temples and educational institutions in Kanyakumari to Rs three crore from Rs one crore.
After Kanyakumari became part of Tamil Nadu in 1956, the Kanyakumari Devaswom Board was formed to manage 490 temples, a women's college and three schools, a government release here said.
The temples and institutions were facing financial crunch and therefore Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has directed that the annnual grant of Rs one crore given for their maintenance and management be increased to Rs three crore.
She also announced enhancing the monthly pension of priests of temples not covered under direct control of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endownments Department, and those with 20 years of service, from Rs 750 to Rs 1000.