Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi has promised to take necessary steps to set up a sub-committee to study the demands of the occupants of temple lands in Chennai and suburban areas.

When a team of CPI(M) leaders, including State secretary G. Ramakrishnan and central committee member N. Varadarajan, met him at the Secretariat, the Chief Minister told them that he could consider the demand that the occupants should not be evicted till the committee submitted its report.

Besides bringing various issues concerning the occupants to the notice of the Chief Minister, the CPI(M) leaders requested Mr Karunanidhi to reduce the rent for the temple properties and cancel the decision to collect the rent in advance.