Dispute Over Passes Between Temple Chairman, EO in Kakinada
Devotees expressed displeasure over the dispute. Temples Protection Samithi convener D.N. Ramesh said it is unseemly of officials and the Trust Board to quarrel over passes.
Kakinada:A dispute broke out between Bala Tripura Sundari Temple trust board chairman Grandhi Babji and temple executive officer Vundavilli Veerraju Chowdary on Friday, the last auspicious Friday of Sravana Masam, over distribution of passes.
In protest, chairman Babji bought a ₹30 ticket and joined the queue along with the large number of devotees. He left the temple after having his darshan.
Later, Babji said there is no need for a chairman at the temple if the executive officer also performs the duties of the chairman. He pointed out that he had been allotted only 65 passes, which he distributed among donors who regularly contribute to the temple. The temple chairman said the EO had kept hundreds of passes with himself.
However, executive officer Veerraju Chowdary told Deccan Chronicle that there are no differences between him and the chairman. He said they had spoken to each other that very morning. Responding to the chairman’s allegations over passes, the EO maintained that he had acted in accordance with the law.
Veerraju Chowdary underlined that the turnout of devotees has been higher this year compared to last year. Nearly 2,500 devotees performed poojas for free, with donors providing the necessary pooja material.
Devotees expressed displeasure over the dispute. Temples Protection Samithi convener D.N. Ramesh said it is unseemly of officials and the Trust Board to quarrel over passes. He demanded a comprehensive inquiry into the controversy and action against the official responsible if any fault is found.