Udupi: No Compulsion on Temples to Hold Puja for Rains - Kota Srinivas Poojary
Hemanath Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (RD)
Udupi, Jul 22: Though the muzrai department has been asked to hold pujas for rain in temples across the state, there is no compulsion on any temple to do so, said Kota Srinivas Poojary, minister for muzrai, ports and inland transport.
Poojary was addressing mediapersons after inaugurating his office at Rajatadri, the district administration complex here on Sunday July 22.
"As many as 135 taluks across the state are facing drought. Measures are under way to tackle the situation on war footing. Meanwhile, there is nothing wrong in praying to god for rains. The funds for the puja will not be from the state treasury but from the income earned by the respective temples," he clarified.
"Nearly 25,000 temples are economically well off, and others can hold puja by offering tender coconut or just water. Under the muzrai department, there are 155 temples with an annual income of Rs 25 lac (rated A grade), 143 temples with annual income ranging from Rs 5 lac to Rs 25 lac, while the rest have annual income below Rs 5 lac. The expenses for the state-wide pujas were fixed at Rs 5,000, with a view to prevent temples from holding lavish ceremonies," he said, asserting that he is ready to answer any query from the opposition parties in the assembly in this regard.
Meeting with port officials
"A meeting will be scheduled with port officials in Bangalore on Tuesday July 24 to discuss port issues and developmental works in the district. State funds will be sought for developmental works of ports and to undertake temporary measures to curb sea erosion. Concrete measures in this regard will be taken by carrying out works under ADB," said Srinivas Poojary.
He sought the help of officials, political parties and the general public in the development of the district. He also assured that he would be available at his office in the district head quarters either for a day or half a day a week.
BJP veteran leader Somashekar Bhat inaugurated the minister’s office here on Sunday morning.
MLA K Raghupati Bhat, MLA Lalaji R Mendon, Deputy Commissioner Dr M T Reju, Additional Deputy Commissioner Kumar, zilla panchayat CEO S A Prabhakar Sharma, ZP president Katpady Shankar Poojary, TP president Devdas Hebbar, BJP district president K Uday Kumar Shetty, Gujjady Prabhakar Nayak, Upendra Nayak and others were present.