Tamil Nadu Brings Endowments Under Commercial Taxes And Registration Dept
Officials clarified that the restructuring is purely administrative and will not affect the day-to-day functioning of temples, religious rituals, festivals, or services provided to devotees.
Published : July 9, 2026 at 5:24 PM IST
Chennai: In a first major administrative reorganisation, the Tamil Nadu government has transferred the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department from the Tourism, Culture and Charitable Endowments Department to the Commercial Taxes and Registration Department.
The order was issued by Chief Secretary M Sai Kumar and has come into effect immediately.
The move comes months after the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), led by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, formed the government after winning 108 seats in the 2026 Assembly elections with the support of allies of the main opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, including the Congress, Left parties, VCK and the IUML.
Since assuming office, the government has undertaken a series of administrative changes, including transfers and reshuffles involving senior bureaucrats, including IAS and IPS officers, as well as departmental restructuring.
Under the new arrangement, the administration of Hindu religious charities, trusts, and Hindu and Jain religious institutions will now come under the Commercial Taxes and Registration Department.
Officials, however, clarified that the restructuring is purely administrative and will not affect the day-to-day functioning of temples, religious rituals, festivals, or services provided to devotees.
"This is an administrative reorganisation aimed at improving coordination and streamlining the functioning of government departments," officials said.
As part of the broader restructuring exercise, the government has also made changes in two other departments:
The Department of Planning, Development and Special Projects Implementation has been renamed as the Department of Planning and Development.
The Special Projects Implementation Department has been separated from the Planning Department and merged with the Tourism and Culture Department.
Government officials said: "The restructuring has been undertaken to enhance administrative efficiency and improve the functioning of various departments. The new arrangements have taken immediate effect."
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