Govt to setup a special fund for restoration and maintenance of small temples
Bhadrachalam temple in Telangana. (Photo: DC/File)
Hyderabad: The temples in Telangana State are all set to get a facelift soon. The state government on Saturday announced in the Legislative Assembly that plans are being devised to develop the temples in Yadagirigutta, Bhadrachalam, Vemulawada and Kondagattu on par with Tirupati. The government also said a special fund for restoration and maintenance of small temples and to pay the salaries and incentives for priests in these temples will be set up soon. Initially, Rs 50 crore will be allotted.
Finance minister Etela Rajender, who made a statement in the House to this effect, said, “Temples in Telangana were grossly neglected in the undivided state. We want to improve the status of these temples. We have identified major temples which can be developed on par with Tirupati. We have already allotted Rs 100 crore in the Budget to develop Yadagirigutta Laxminarasimha Swamy temple.” He added that the temples in Telangana have not been able not attract large number of devotees due to poor facilities.
“Though Alampur Jogulamba in Mahbubnagar district is one of the 18 shakti peethas, it was neglected by the previous governments. Similarly, Vemulawada Rajarajeshwari temple, Bhadrachalam Srirama temple and Kodagattu Anjaneya temples were never given their due. All the temples in Telangana earn poor revenues,” he said.
Mr Rajender said the state government will pay a salary of Rs 1,500 per month to priests in small temples, and Rs 1,000 per month to perform pujas daily. He said the government has also decided to provide loans of Rs 1 lakh to priests to perform marriages of their family members, besides medical reimbursement of Rs 2 lakh.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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