Kanakadurga Temple: Board members, executive officer at loggerheads

Vijayawada: Differences continue to crop up between the executive officer and board members of Kanakadurga Temple. The executive officer has been getting praise for her efficient work and planning, which is enhancing the temple income, from devotees and temple staff. At the same time, she is getting criticism from the board chairman and members, that she is not involving them. Being a woman IAS officer, her style of monitoring and dominating the management may be hurting the ego of the board chairman and the members.

Board members have objected to the new constructions finalised by the executive officer and have complained to the higher officials that they are unnecessary. The Endowment Officials have constituted an expert committee on the issue. Even in the enquiry, the board members have alleged that officials are not cooperating with the experts. On December 7, the experts’ committee submitted the report. The other complaint from the Board is, that the EO has changed the Personnel Assistant of the Chairman without informing him.

The executive officer J. Suryakumar, IAS, has explained that these are all only misunderstandings raised because of others’ aspirations. She said, “It’s only because of the administrative procedures. They want to know everything and want to be involved, obviously. However, as part of work, when implementing much earlier decisions, we may proceed without consulting them. Perhaps this may be the cause.”

The staff of Durga Temple have opined that, “She is an efficient officer. She will monitor everything exactly. She will not compromise with obligations, she wants everybody to follow the rules. These are painful things for the seniors and Board members.” One woman employee of the Temple said, “ Nobody can digest what is happening here. She has raised the growth in the income by 19 per cent. She has introduced new events to cover ‘dry days’ of the temple. She is very strict in following the rules. She takes decisions very speedily. All this makes for an effective climate here, which others cannot tolerate.”  Being the capital city, the Kanakadurga Temple got more prominence and the Chief Minister also gave priority to develop it, an IAS officer appointment as EO was part of it. She is continuing for one-and-a-half year, not like others, who were  changed frequently. A little coordination between the EO and the Board Members may solve the problem, the staff have opined.