The administration of the Sri Arunachaleswarar Temple in Tiruvannamalai has reportedly refused to provide information sought under the Right to Information (RTI) Act regarding the repeated award of contract works to a company alleged to be close to a temple official, as reported in Dinamalar.
Several works at the temple, including repairs to the fifth prakaram, installation of movable barricades and an iron platform for lighting camphor lamps, construction of women’s toilets, electrical works, protective walls around trees, sewage tanks and pathways, have been awarded to Ashwini Construction.
Temple worshippers’ association president and temple activist TR Ramesh had sought details regarding the contracts under the RTI Act in June. According to Ramesh, the temple administration subsequently refused to provide the requested information.
Ramesh alleged that Ashwini Construction, which he claimed was close to the temple’s executive officer, had been repeatedly awarded contract works at the temple. He further alleged that some of the works were not being carried out properly.
Speaking about the matter, Ramesh said that he had sought information concerning the contracts and the execution of the works under the RTI Act, but the temple administration had refused to provide the details.
He alleged that the temple administration had similarly failed to provide proper information in response to several other RTI applications concerning the temple.
Allegations Of Repeated Contracts And RTI Denial
Ramesh further alleged that repair and maintenance contracts at the temple were being repeatedly awarded to relatives of individuals working at the temple.
He said he had sought information about the contracts under the RTI Act around two months ago, but the temple administration had refused to provide the information.
Ramesh alleged that the refusal to disclose information raised questions about the manner in which contracts were being awarded and implemented at the temple.
He also alleged irregularities in the administration of the temple, claiming that the shrine receives more than ₹50 crore annually through hundial collections and darshan fees, but that the funds were not being adequately utilised for the welfare of Hindu devotees and the Shaiva religious tradition.
Instead, he alleged, the administration was focused on awarding contracts and extracting commissions.
Ramesh Seeks Special Audit
Ramesh said the continued refusal to provide information under the RTI Act warranted scrutiny and alleged that such denials could be aimed at concealing irregularities in the temple’s administration.
He said he was planning to approach the court seeking a special external audit of temples where such alleged irregularities occur.
Ramesh also appealed to Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Minister Ramesh to take stringent action against temple officials who refuse to provide information sought under the RTI Act.
திருவண்ணாமலை ஸ்ரீ அருணாச்சலேசுஸ்வரர் திருக்கோயிலில் சட்ட மோசடியாக அறநிலையத்துறை செயல் அலுவலர் இருந்து வருகிறார். இங்கு பல வருடங்களாக உண்டியல் பணம், தரிசன கட்டணம் மூலமாக ஆண்டுதோறும் ரூ 50 கோடிக்கு மேல் பணம் வருகிறது. இவற்றின் மூலம் சைவ சமயத்திற்கும், இந்துக்கள் நல்வாழ்விற்கும்… pic.twitter.com/V703BuaFql
— trramesh (@trramesh) August 14, 2026
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