Andhra government attacks temples [ Andhra Pradesh, India ]

[ Reported as seen ]

Andhra government has asked temples to break their fixed deposits (FDs) prematurely to pay the Endowments Department’s pending statutory fees. The dues have been pending for the last eight years. In this regard, the Endowments Department’s Commissioner M Hari Jawaharlal issued a circular on June 18.

The circular directs Executive Officers of temples to clear pending statutory fees failing which disciplinary action will be taken. While the department claims that the clearance of dues is essential for maintaining the temples.

The department states it needs money to support temples in rural regions with pujamaterials and ritual ingredients; hence, it needs funds from clearing arrears.

According to the 1966 Andhra Pradesh Charitable and Hindu Religious Institutions Act (APCHRA), temples earning more than five lakhs annually must pay 21.5% of their income to the Endowments department. Department records indicate that 1776 endowment institutions have 353.80 crores of rupees in arrears. Temples have remitted 42 crores rupees in April and May.

The latest government circular instructs temples to clear their pending dues even if they need to encash their fixed deposit receipts. Deputy Commissioners of the Department have been entrusted with the responsibility to identify all those who don’t pay arrears and submit draft articles of charge.

“Several applications are pending for various work to be carried out to which the department committed Rs 225.82 crores. The department also has bills to pay. We wish to provide the best facilities for devotees; for all this, funds are required. Several temples are keeping the money as FDs instead of clearing their arrears”, Andhra Pradesh Endowments Minister Kottu Satyanarayana has been quoted as saying.

According