Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jul 20: Additional deputy commissioner of Dakshina Kannada district and president of district religious council, Kumar, has asked all the temples falling under muzrai department in the district to complete audit of their accounts within a month and forward them to the government. He was addressing a meeting of temple management representatives held in the office of the deputy commissioner of the district on Tuesday under the presidentship of deputy commissioner, A B Ibrahim.

Kumar noted that only 17 out of 40 'A' category temples in the district have submitted their annual budgets for the current financial year. Among 25 'B' category temples, budgetary approval has been given to only in case of five temples. Without budgetary approval, fund cannot be spent. All the remaining temples should immediately submit budget and get approvals, he said. He also expressed his resentment at the failure of temples to fix justifiable rent for the shops in the temple premises and manage this process through tenders.

Kumar said that some temples are violating rules like obtention of age proof and address proof before conducting amss marriage ceremonies. About dress code in temples, he said that he will soon get directions from the government on this subject for strict implementation.

District superintendent of police, Bhushan G Borase, advised the concerned to ensure that when fitting CCTV cameras in temples, the cameras do not directly face electricity lights. "Before employing security personnel, their criminal background should be got checked through local police stations. Donation boxes should be emptied once in 15 days. When fixing burglar alarms, separate battery back-up should be provided and wiring of the alarms should be concealed," he suggested. He also said that is is mandatory to obtain prior permission from the police before using firecrackers on special occasions.