New temple management boards to be appointed soon

Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy

160 temples to be rebuilt under CGF • Anam takes charge as minister for endowment 

The Capital News 

Minister of Endowment Anam Ramanarayana Reddy announced that new management boards will soon be appointed for temples across Andhra Pradesh. After performing Pooja in his office at Sachivalayam Block-2, the minister officially took charge of the Department of Endowments. Speaking on the occasion, he emphasized the extensive landholdings under the department’s purview, which include 4.65 lakh acres belonging to 27,127 temples across the State. The minister pledged to conduct thorough inspections of these lands and remove any encroachments.

Reddy also announced the restoration of the Jala Harati ritual at the confluence of the Krishna and Godavari rivers. He mentioned that a committee of ministers would convene on Monday to discuss further initiatives. Significant changes are being introduced for temples with annual incomes less than Rs 50,000, including an increase in financial assistance. Temples will now receive Rs 10,000 for ritual offerings, doubling the previous amount of Rs 5,000. This move is expected to place an additional financial burden of Rs 32 crore on the Endowments Department.

Additionally, 160 temples will be reconstructed under the Common Good Fund (CGF). Highlighting the government’s commitment to safeguarding temple properties, Anam noted that the cleansing of the Endowment Department had commenced with efforts starting from Tirumala. He reiterated the department’s responsibility as custodians of divine assets and assured that any allegations, however minor, are being investigated, with improvements being made to the functioning of the department.

In Nellore district, actions have already been taken against five officers, with an investigation underway into the conduct of another controversial officer. Minister Reddy assured that the sanctity of temples would remain uncompromised.