Khammam: Seventy-five acres belonging to the Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple in Nelakondapalli in Khammam district has gone “missing”. The government has asked local endowments officials to submit a report on the matter immediately.
Sri Venkateswara Swamy, a swayabhuvu idol, had 460 acres in the villages of Gandasiri, Kamalapuram, Chirumarri, Mudigonda, Guvvalagudem, Nelakondapalli, Cheruvumadhavaram, Mangapuram thanda in Mudigonda and Nelakondapalli mandals.
About 60 acres were in various tanks and another 40 acres were given to the Nagarjunasagar Canal. About 285 acres of lands were identified in eight villages. But, in stock-taking, officials found no account for the remaining 75 acres.
Though the temple had valuable land, the governing body is facing problems in renovating the temple and the vantasala (kitchen) due to lack of funds. Farmers who have been given land on lease are paying Rs 600 per acre, and even this money is not being collected properly.
The revenue of the temple has come down to Rs 40,000 a year, which is not sufficient even for the dhoopa deepa naivedyam (puja, offerings and prasad). The temple governing body has submitted an application to the revenue officials.
