Temples fear amendments

HYDERABAD: The recent amendments to Andhra Pradesh endowments act are snowballing into a controversy with the temple protection activists strongly opposing it. Activists even submitted a memorandum to the Governor ESL Narasimhan asking him to intervene in this matter to curb too much of political intervention n through the new amendments in the act.

AP government recently brought amendment to the present act making changes in the trusteeship provisions in the temple administrative committees. According to the new amendment the temples, with an income over Rs 20 crore annually, will have 19 members in the committee, while temples with income up to Rs 20 crore will have 15 members. Eleven-member committees will take care of temples with an income of up to Rs 15 crore while nine-member committees will be appointed to take charge of temples with income up to Rs 6 crore annually.

The number of members in these temples was increased to four to five than the earlier numbers. There were no fixed numbers. Apart from there are many small temples in the state with an annual income of Rs Two lakhs. They were under the trusteeship of local pundits, but according to the new amendment these temples also will have three member committees. "With this spiritual atmosphere in the temples disappears and more temples will become hub of political and commercial activities" Ranagrajan, coordinator for temple protection committee said.

There are 23,000 temples in 13 districts in the state. Activists also criticized the move to abolish the AP Dharmika Parishat. Government recently has abolished this institute. Dharmika Parishat was body of devotes and religious people and officials to promote spiritualism and also promote charitable activities. The Dharmika Parishat used to appoint the trustees with income up to one crore income annually. Government used to take decision on bigger temples like Kanakadurga. "In a way it is completely doing away with religious people, government should take back the decision of abolishing the Dharmika Parishat" Swamy Kamalananda Bharati, temple protection activist said.

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