HR&CE Minister Ramesh on Sunday said Chief Minister Vijay would take the final call on the issue of lighting the lamp at Thiruparankundram, responding to questions from reporters.
The minister visited the Palani Murugan temple in Dindigul district, where he inaugurated an ornamental arch at the Kodaikanal Road junction and the “Rakkala Nandavanam” on the Giriveedhi, along with Palani AIADMK MLA Ravimanoharan.
During the event, AIADMK members raised a complaint that banners put up for the inauguration did not carry the MLA’s name or photograph. The minister expressed regret to the MLA over the omission.
Ramesh later travelled by rope car to the hill temple and joined the general queue for darshan. He also went to the annadanam hall, waited in line with devotees for about an hour and had the meal, before returning to the foothills and attending a review meeting with officials.
Speaking to reporters, he said ongoing construction works at the temple, the quality of annadanam and the preparation of panchamirtham were reviewed. He alleged that temple operations over the past five years had been run with a commercial focus and said steps were being examined to ensure services are oriented towards devotees. On the Thiruparankundram lamp issue, he reiterated that the Chief Minister would decide, adding that his responsibility as minister was to oversee HR&CE administration.
