Retired temple EOs in Tamil Nadu allege delay in terminal benefits over pending audit objections

At least 50 retired executive officers (EO) of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department in Tamil Nadu are waiting for their terminal benefits, as audit objections filed by the department’s internal auditors remain pending.

Former officers allege that the charges levelled by the auditors were sometimes “very frivolous.” An EO, who spent a meagre amount on buying some extra dry firewood to use in the Madapalli during the rainy season, was told to bear the cost himself. If a temple misplaces the receipt issued by the temple inspector after paying the department fees via cheque or demand draft, that amount will also have to be borne by the EO concerned. “They will not accept the bank statement as proof of payment,” another retired EO said.