The Annadhanam scheme was extended to 106 more temples on Sunday, benefiting in total 1.25 crore devotees a year. Launched in March 2002 by then Chief Minister Jayalalithaa at Kapaleeswarar Temple here, the scheme had been of benefit to as many as one crore devotees.
Laxity in implementation
However, as the previous Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government did not accord sufficient attention to the programme, there was some laxity in its implementation, according to an official release.
Streamlining of scheme
As soon as All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) was returned to power this year, Ms. Jayalalithaa, who once again assumed charge as Chief Minister, ordered streamlining of its functioning.
Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Minister S.P. Shanmughanathan inaugurated the extension of the scheme at Madhava Perumal Temple, Mylapore, on Sunday afternoon.
Those who took part in the programme included M. Rajaram and M. Kalaivanan, Secretary and Commissioner, HR & CE, and Rajalakshmi, MLA, Mylapore.
New temples
In the city, other temples covered were Komaleeswarar Temple, Pudupet; Thiruvatteesswarar Temple, Triplicane; Arunachaleswarar Temple, Sowcarpet; Ekambareswarar Temple, Aminjikarai; Sowmya Damodara Perumal Temple, Villivakkam; Raveeswarar Temple, Vyasapardi and Balasubramaniaswami Temple, Teynampet.
In other parts of the State, the extension of the scheme was formalised with the participation of Ministers.
Among those temples included now are the Vazhakarutheeswarar Temple at Kancheepuram.
Also included are Kadal Adaitha Perumal Temple, Devipattinam, Mangalanatha Swami Temple, Uttara Kosa Mangai, and Jayaveera Anjaneyar Temple, Sethukkarai, all in Ramanthapuram district.
Arasamaram Pillayar Temple in Madurai; Hanumantharaya Swami Temple, Pollachi; Lakshmi Narasimhar Temple, Nangavalli; Papanasa Nathar Temple, Papanasam and Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, Vilathikulam, were some of the other temples covered under the extension of the scheme.