Cabinet nod to appoint qualified persons from any caste as priests

Special Correspondent

Decision based on opinion given by the Advocate-General Services of Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi lauded

CHENNAI: Qualified persons of any caste can be priests in any temple run by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, the State Cabinet decided on Tuesday.

This was pursuant to a 2002 Supreme Court Order. The decision was taken after obtaining the Advocate-General’s opinion. It would remove a thorn in social reformer Periyar’s heart, the Cabinet said.

Pat for Karunanidhi

The first Cabinet meeting of the Karunanidhi Government also adopted a resolution commending the services of Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, right from the days of the Tamil language agitation to the formation of the Democratic Progressive Alliance. It thanked the people who had unwavering faith in him.

The resolution, introduced by Finance Minister K. Anbazhagan and seconded by Electricity Minister Arcot N. Veerasamy, said Mr. Karunanidhi had brought in many new ideas to governance when he first became Minister for Public Works Department in the Annadurai Government. He introduced many pioneering schemes, which made the whole country sit up and take note.

Mr. Karunanidhi thanked the Cabinet for adopting the resolution.

PDS rice

In another order, the Government said people purchasing rice from fair price shops could do so any day of the month either fully or in part. The rice supplied through the PDS, including that made available as part of the Centre’s `Anthyodha Anna Yojana,’ would be priced at Rs. 2 a kg.

In reply to a question, Mr. Karunanidhi said he had not given a thought to lifting the ban on lotteries, though he was aware of the demand.

Decision hailed

Pattali Makkal Katchi founder S. Ramadoss thanked Mr. Karunanidhi for the Cabinet approval to appoint priests from any caste.

He said the decision was taken at the speed of lightening.

Dravidar Kazhagam president K. Veeramani said it brought cheer to followers of Periyar.