Less income temples to be given to priests, trustees: Dy CM Kottu Satyanarayana

Vijayawada: Deputy Chief Minister Kottu Satyanarayana said efforts are on to hand over temples, whose income is less than ₹5 lakh, to founder trustees or priests for maintenance.

Speaking to media persons here on Tuesday, the Dy. CM said they have identified 23,600 temples with income less than ₹5 lakh. Of them, 37 temples that had submitted requests, have been handed over to their priests or trustees. Status quo is being maintained in case of temples, which have not submitted any such requisitions.

Satyanarayana said a programme had been taken up on August 6 at Annavaram to bring about awareness within the young generation about prominence of Hindu Dharma. Similar programmes had been taken up at all important temples in the state till August 14. They will also hold such programmes at Vigneshwara temple at Kanipakam, Durga Malleswara temple in Vijayawada and other temples at Dwaraka Tirumala and Simhachalam.

The Dy. CM said that they are collecting information pertaining to the properties of choultries, mutts, temples, commercial sites and assets belonging to the endowment department that have been encroached. An ordinance will be issued to take their possession legally.

Satyanarayana said it has come to their notice that nearly 4.60 lakh acres of land and 1.65 crore square yards of commercial space is under encroachments.