Pramesh S Jain
*Commitment to Comprehensive Development of Temples.
*Purchase Land in the Name of Temples to Facilitate Infrastructure for Devotees.
*CCTV Cameras to Be Installed Soon to Safeguard Donation Boxes.
*Applications to Be Invited for Scholarships for Children of Priests and Employees.
Deputy Chief Minister and Revenue Minister Dr.G. Parameshwara directed officials to purchase land in the name of ‘A’ and ‘B’ category temples across the State.
He issued the necessary directions after chairing a meeting of the Rajya Dharmika Parishad at Vidhana Soudha today and holding detailed discussions with its members.
“Temples have sufficient funds. Along with undertaking development works, land must be purchased in the name of the temples.
Such property will remain with the temples permanently and facilitate infrastructure for devotees as well as comprehensive development,”he said.
Dr. Parameshwara said the Chief Minister had directed that CCTV cameras be installed to monitor temple donation boxes and prevent the misuse of offerings.
“This work must be completed by the end of August.It should not be taken lightly,”he said.
Pulling up officials over the lack of basic amenities at several prominent temples in the State,he said,“When I visit and inspect some temples,
I am left wondering which era we are living in.No one is taking responsibility and working.How can the sanctity of temples be maintained under such circumstances?”.
He said there was no shortage of funds to provide basic facilities to devotees at temples and added that officials had been directed to prepare master plans.There should be no negligence in this regard,”he warned.
Dr.Parameshwara said ‘C’ category temples should not be handed over to any organisation for adoption in the name of development.
“Those who adopt temples in the name of development may later claim rights over temple properties.Therefore, 10% of the grants of ‘A’ category temples must be utilised for development works at ‘C’ category temples,” he said.
He said strict instructions had already been issued to clear encroachments on temple lands.“Encroached temple properties must be surveyed on a priority basis, cleared and handed over to the Muzrai Department.
The process must be completed within three months,” he directed Additional Chief Secretary to the Revenue Department Rajendra Kumar Kataria.
As the academic year had begun,Dr.Parameshwara also directed officials to invite applications for scholarships for the children of priests and employees working in notified temples.
Additional Chief Secretary to the Revenue Department, Rajendra Kumar Kataria;Muzrai Commissioner,Sharath; Rajya Dharmika Parishad members K.M.Nagaraju, Dr. A. Radhakrishna Raju,Dwarakanath,Mallika Prashanth Pakkala and Ravishankar Shetty;and others were present.
