Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (MS)

Udupi, Sep 4: Minister for Muzrai, ports and fisheries Kota Srinivas Poojary informed that the proposal for increasing the sanctioning authority of Deputy Commissioner (DC) for developmental works related to temples falling under the control of Muzrai department to one crore from the present Rs 50 lac is in front of the state government.

Minister Kota Srinivas Poojary was speaking after inspecting the progress of various developmental works that took place at the Kollur Mookambika temple on Tuesday, September 3. He further said, "At present the DCs have the authority to sanction Rs 50 lac for developmental works of temples. A proposal is placed in front of the government to increase this limit to Rs one crore. This will be taken up for discussion in the cabinet meeting. If this gets implemented, then the developmental works of temples can be done at a faster pace.

"A meeting will be called soon at the office of the DC to decide on the vented dam and underground drainage system at Kollur. Local residents will also be taken into confidence during the implementation of the project."

The minister advised the concerned people to discuss with the DC the sanctioning of suitable land for the construction of spacious Goshala in Kollur. He also advised to speak to the forest department officials, if the land is not available anywhere else. The minister also said that he is aware of the parking facility problems at Kollur during the special festival days. He advised the administrative committee of the temple to identify the land for building a spacious parking lot. The minister also informed that a full-time doctor will be appointed at the Kollur government hospital.

Kota Srinivas Poojary said that the process of collecting the offering from the devotees should be completely computerized. He also informed to get the help of technicians to avoid any software-related issues in the implementation of the process. The minister also said that the decision will be taken about the suspected death of the elephant of Kollur temple after getting the post mortem report. He also instructed the officials to look into the complaint of lodges around the Kollur temple of releasing the waste water directly into the river. He also said that the matter of providing salary to teachers of the schools managed by the Kollur temple from the government grant will be looked into.

Speaking on the occasion, executive officer of Kollur temple, Krishnamurthy said, "The developmental works of new dining hall at the cost of Rs 21 crore, drinking water supply scheme at a cost of Rs 33.40 crore and underground drainage system at a cost of Rs 19.97 crore are in progress. In the fiscal 2018-19 the income of the temple was Rs 41.79 crore, out of which, Rs 5.33 crore is spent for the expenses of the staff of the temple. In total 167 people are working for the temple."

Byndoor MLA Sukumar Shetty, president of temple management committee Harish Kumar Shetty and assistant commissioner of religious endowment department Praveen Kumar were present.