Chennai: The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR & CE) department has directed its officials to initiate action on private websites or agencies 'swindling' gullible devotees luring them of offering online services on behalf of the department-managed temples.
Taking strong exception to certain websites, which are totally unconnected with the temples under the ambit of the HR & CE, but offer plethora of services, HR & CE Commissioner R. Jaya directed the officials including temple executive officers to check any unauthorised websites offering services in temples concerned for pujas and other services through e-payment mode without any legal sanction.
“It is causing of revenue and loss of reputation to the department and temples concerned and it is a clear violation of HR &CE statutory provisions. Hence the temple authorities are directed to check for any unauthorised websites offering services in temples against payment and immediately file criminal complaints against them in the cyber-crime cell,” the commissioner said in a circular.
Temple authorities have been asked to issue warnings and disclaimers on their official websites in the interest of the public cautioning devotees not to make payments through such websites and if any payments are made through such websites, then the HR & CE department temple will not be responsible.
