Revise Odhuvars’ pay on par with times, government told

Justice R Mahadevan passing orders on a plea moved by Singaravelan, who belongs to a traditional Odhuvar family, directed the state to implement the pay scale revision periodically since 1980. Also, recording the government’s submission to favourably consider the petitioner’s case, the judge directed the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department to pass appropriate orders within six weeks and disposed of the plea.

Singaravelan, working as Odhuvar in Arulmighu Thiru Ilanjikumarar Thirukovil, Ilanji, Tenkasi, Tirunelveli district since January 3, 1980, had contended that though he had put in 37 years of service as Odhuvar, he has neither been regularised nor given service increments.

In 2004, the government fixed salary for various staff working in temples including Odhuvars as Rs 2,000-3,200.

Despite several claims and remainders made by the petitioner, HR&CE authorities failed to revise his pay as per the GO.

Subsequently, in 2010 the salary was revised and re-fixed as Rs 3,300-9,000. However, no benefits were given to the petitioner, prompting Singaravelan to approach the High Court.

Responding to the plea, the department contended that the post of Odhuvar in the temple is not a full-time work like other employees.

“The petitioner attended only two or three kala poojas out of six kala poojas and recited Thevaram, Thirumanthiram and Thiruvasagam,” the authorities said.

Appalled over the submissions of the department, Justice Mahadevan said, “For several centuries, the position of Odhuvars was prominent, it is, now, painful to note that an Odhuvar of a temple of our state is being made to run from pillar to post for his salary for some reasons or other. 

Despite the government passing several orders fixing/revising the scale of pay of the Odhuvars, they could not see the colour of the coin till date.”