Telangana government in a flux over Dharmik Parishads

Hyderabad: Under pressure for posts, the TRS government is contemplating increasing temple trust boards’ strength from nine members to 13. The government is also in a dilemma over setting up of a Dharmik Parishad to oversee temples administration and thus end political interference. Sources said the file pertaining to establishment of the Dharmik Parishad is pending with the endowments department.

Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao had earlier promised that temple trust boards will be apolitical and should have persons committed to service of God. However, Mr Rao is reportedly undecided over setting up of Dharmik Parishad which will oversee the temples. “File pertaining to Dharmik Parishad is with endowments department. No decision has been taken. Probably, some forces are opposed to the Dharmik Parishad since it would result in the department losing control over temples,” a top source in the government told DC.

The CM, who promised to fill up nominated posts before the TRS plenary on April 27 is also under pressure from party leaders for berths in temple trust boards and other bodies. There are 12,000-odd temples in TS under the endowments department, including 500 which have trust boards. The government sought applications for trust board membership of various temples recently. Scores of TRS leaders, their kin and others filled up the rather lengthy questionnaire while applying.

At present, each temple trust board has nine members. “There is tremendous demand for nominated posts. Hence the government is contemplating increasing the strength of the trust boards from nine to 13,” the source said. Meanwhile, the endowments department wait for an exclusive commissioner to handle its affairs.

TS finance secretary N. Shiv Shanker is also the secretary, endowments department, commissioner of endowments department and on the board of directors to TS Christian (Minorities) Finance Corporation.