source: The Hindu, March 29, 2007

HYDERABAD: M. V. Soundararajan, convener, Temples Protection Movement (TPM), thanked Chief Minster Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy on Wednesday for introducing a Bill to amend the existing Endowments Act.

Speaking to reporters later, Dr. Soundararajan said devotees, archakas and believers had been waging a struggle for more than two decades seeking the amendment to the Act as the functioning of the temples was being stifled under the existing law.

The Congress had promised in its election manifesto that it would favourably consider their demand. He said the recent introduction of the `Dhoopa Deepa Naivedyam' Scheme had breathed new life into the temple administration. Inclusion of the scheme in the amendment Bill was a welcome point, he said. He also thanked Minister for Endowments J. C. Diwakar Reddy for supporting their cause.

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