Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Friday announced the provision of assistance to support the higher education of children belonging to priests conducting daily 'Oru Kaala Pooja' in temples under the administration of the Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments?Department.

This aid is?aimed at benefiting 400 students annually, will cover either their college fees or provide assistance of up to ?10,000, whichever is less, according to an official release. The support extends to various academic disciplines, including arts and science, engineering, medicine, law, and more, across government and private colleges.

In addition to this initiative, Chief Minister Stalin also distributed an enhanced monthly stipend to students enrolled in Archagar Training Schools. Full-time students will receive ?4,000, while part-time students will be entitled to ?2,000, benefiting over 290 students.

Further demonstrating the government's commitment to the preservation of cultural heritage, Mr. Stalin handed over an enhanced assistance package of ?8 crore for the maintenance of temples in Kanniyakumari district on behalf of the HR&CE Department. Minister for HR & CE P.K. Sekarbabu and senior officials attended these events at the Secretariat.

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Stalin presided over the weddings of 1,100 couples at the Arulmigu Kapaleeswarar Karpagambal wedding hall in Mylapore, Chennai. These weddings were facilitated by temples under the HR&CE Department's jurisdiction, according to an official release.