Temples Asked To Expand Online Services, Adopt Zero-Waste Policy
Dr Hari Jawahar Lal said no compromise should be made in providing facilities to devotees at Andhra Pradesh temples.
Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh Endowments Department has directed major temples across the state to significantly improve online services for devotees and implement a strict “Zero Waste Disposal Policy” as part of efforts towards digital governance and environmentally sustainable temple management.
At a high-level review meeting held at the Endowments Department headquarters in Gollapudi on Tuesday, Endowments Department ex-officio secretary Dr M. Hari Jawahar Lal instructed executive officers of 22 major temples to ensure devotees receive faster, transparent and hassle-free services through expanded digital platforms.
Dr Hari Jawahar Lal said no compromise should be made in providing facilities to devotees at Andhra Pradesh temples, which hold a unique spiritual and cultural place in the country. He directed officials to introduce more online services and launch new arjitha sevas suited to changing climatic and seasonal conditions.
The review meeting was attended by executive officers from major temples under the RJC and deputy commissioner cadres, along with senior engineering officials of the department.
Endowments commissioner K. Ramachandra Mohan stressed that temples should contribute positively to society and not become a burden on civic systems. As part of the Swachh Andhra programme, he instructed temple authorities not to send waste to dumping yards and instead strictly implement a “Zero Waste Disposal Policy”.
He called for stronger sanitation and public health measures in all temples and said successful best practices adopted in one temple should be replicated across all temples in the state, in line with directions issued by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.
The commissioner also issued a series of environment-focused directives. He ordered all temples to install rooftop rainwater harvesting systems to improve groundwater recharge and establish sewage and sullage water treatment plants for recycling and reuse of water.
Officials were instructed to complete installation of gobar gas, bio-gas and piped gas plants within one month to convert temple waste into green fuel. The commissioner also emphasised promotion of solar power and other non-conventional energy sources in temples.
Highlighting the role of volunteers, Ramachandra Mohan said temple sevaks providing free services should also function as ambassadors for spiritual outreach, online services and social media promotion of temple activities.
During the meeting, officials from temples at Vijayawada, Srisailam, Annavaram, Simhachalam, Dwaraka Tirumala, Srikalahasti and Kanipakam presented reports on the progress of ongoing development works.
