Hyderabad: The state government has issued charge memos to six executive officers who have served at the Basara Saraswathi temple during the past three years, for resorting to irregularities and misuse of funds. Endowments minister A. Indrakaran Reddy on Friday said that the government would protect the sanctity of temples and would not spare corrupt officials. He directed officials to conduct inquiries on allegations of misuse of funds in other temples also and submit reports within two months. He instructed officials to initiate stringent action against those who were found to be guilty.
“It's unfortunate that reports of misuse of funds and other irregularities are coming to light against officials and staff working in major temples. The government will not tolerate this. Strict instructions have been issued to higher officials to initiate action against those who are found guilty in the enquiry. The amount siphoned off should be recovered from the guilty,” Mr Reddy added.
The minister held a review meeting of the Endowments Department at the Secretariat to discuss introducing online services in temples, common good funds, providing more funds to temples under Dhoopa, Dheepa, Nyvedhyam scheme etc. Mr Reddy instructed officials to introduce online services in all major temples, including GHMC limits, at the earliest. “The online services being introduced on a pilot basis in the Secunderabad Ganesh temple should be extended to all major temples by May end,” he said, adding that this facility would be convenient for pilgrims visiting temples.
