Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Friday launched the conservation works to be carried out by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR and CE) Department at 63 heritage temples, which are over 1,000 years old. The project will be taken up at a total cost of ₹100 crore.

A total of 714 temples across Tamil Nadu have been identified to be over 1,000 years old, and earmarked for conservation. Since 2022-23, the State government has allocated ₹425 crore for the restoration of such temples. The latest batch of 63 temples are in Chengalpattu, Cuddalore, Kallakurichi, Kancheepuram, Kanniyakumari, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Ranipet, Thanjavur, Thoothukudi, Tiruchi, Tirunelveli, Tiruvallur, Tiruvannamalai, Tiruvarur, Vellore, and Villupuram districts.

With the allocation of government funds, contributions from sponsors, and funds from the temples, conservation works at 352 temples have been taken up, and so far, consecration has been held at 60 temples, an official release said. In 2024, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization presented an award for the restoration of the Arulmigu Abathsagayeswarar temple at Thukkachi in Thanjavur district, it said.

Mr. Stalin also inaugurated virtually over 400 new classrooms, drinking water facilities, and other amenities at over 70 government-run schools across the State. These infrastructure were set up by the School Education Department at a total cost of ₹99.35 crore. He also released a book titled Tirukkural-Treasure of Universal Wisdom.

He also handed over a cheque for ₹2.15 crore for the Tamil Development Academy to its president M. Rajendran. At the Secretariat campus, he also flagged off 198 new vehicles procured at a total cost of ₹17 crore for the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department. Ministers Duraimurugan, Udhayanidhi Stalin, I. Periyasamy, E.V. Velu, M.P. Saminathan, P.K. Sekarbabu, and Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, Chief Secretary N. Muruganandam, and senior officials were among those present.

Ahead of the inauguration of the Ungaludan Stalin programme in Chidambaram in Cuddalore district on July 15, Mr. Stalin chaired a virtual meeting on Friday to review steps being taken by the Collectors in this regard. In another event, Chairperson of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) Shaji K.V. called on the Chief Minister at the Secretariat on Friday.