<span style="color: #222222;">The Madras High Court has asked the Tamil Nadu government why the salaries of the state Hindu Religious Endowment Department should not be recovered for a year for not preventing the encroachers from constructing buildings in temple lands.<br />''</span><br />''While hearing a batch of petitions on the issue, the Division Bench comprising Justices R Mahadevan and Adikesavalu, the state pleader said a detailed survey is underway to identify encroachments in temple lands.<br />''<br />''<span style="color: #222222;">The court asked what actions were taken by the department when huge structures were being erected in temple properties. It also asked how the local bodies gave permission for such buildings. The court asked the government to collect information on the officials who were inactive during the illegal constructions at various locations and adjourned the case. </span><br />