Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (MS)

Udupi, Aug 31: Minister for Muzrai (endowment) Kota Srinivas Poojary informed that E-Hundi system, which will count the money collected in the offertory boxes of temples accurately will be implemented through E-Governance.

Minister Poojary spoke after inspecting the progress of Muzrai department in the office of the Deputy Commissioner of the district. He further said, "E-Hundi system is being introduced in order to show the exact amount that is put by the devotees in the offertory boxes. In addition, even the exact weight of the gold ornaments that are offered by the devotees can also be known through this system. The amount that is getting collected in the box will be deposited directly to the bank account of the temple. By this method, there will be total transparency in using the money for the development programmes of the temple and also to provide better infrastructure facilities for the devotees.

"Necessary action is taken to fill 1000 posts in the Muzrai department and also to open an engineering department to form the required plan for the works that need to be carried out on the temples in the state and also get technical approval. It is decided to give the receipts for various services offered in the temples through a uniform software. This is already in action temples like Kollur Mookambika etc and will be introduced in all the other temples of the state.

"We are mulling on giving the authority to the respective Deputy Commissioners to approve construction work up to an estimate of Rs two crores and other works upto an estimate of Rs one crore of the Muzrai department. The B category temples of the state, which have more than Rs 25 lac income, will be upgraded to A category immediately.

"There is a plan to conserve the cows through A grade temples of the state. Cow conservation centers will be started at Kollur and Mandarti temples on experimental basis. These temples have to provide the basic infrastructure required for the Gau Shala and they have to bear the cost of the maintenance of these Shalas also." The minister instructed the revenue ministers to identify the required land for this purpose.

Revision of list of notified temples, introduction of CCTV in temples was also discussed in the meeting. Dinakar Babu, president of zilla panchayat, Sadashiv Prabhu, additional deputy commissioner, Madhukeshwar, Kundapur sub-divisional officer, Praveen B Nayak, assistant commissioner, religious endowment department and representatives of various temples were present on the occasion.