Temples in Mysore district are fetching substantial revenue to the Karnataka Government, some bringing revenue over Rs 10 lakh per annum. Four temples of ‘A’ category are yielding Rs 10 lakh and above while five temples in ‘B’ grade are adding Rs 10 lakh each per annum to the state coffers. Apart from the nine chief temples, the district has 1,278 ‘C’ category temples. Revenue from them is less than Rs one lakh each. Officials managing these temples have been asked to upgrade at least 70 temples in the district with the support of NGO organisations, if necessary.
Addressing a meeting of the executive officers of these Muzrai Department temples, Deputy Commissioner Harsh Gupta told them to bestow greater attention in improving the ‘C’ grade temples.
At least 10 ‘C’ grade temples should be developed with good infrastructural facilities like drinking water, shelters etc. in each taluk.
The officers were suggested to take assistance of the civil departments of the engineering colleges in Mysore for preparing plans and estimates for renovation and improvement of the temples. The plans and estimates should be handed over to the engineering section of the Zilla Panchayat for execution.
The Deputy Commissioner has also asked them to issue receipts for the ‘Sevas’ (special worship) made by the devotees and set up of ‘hundies’ (collection boxes) to increase collections so that the temples are upgraded.
Saying that there should be transparency in opening the collection boxes, he has directed the officers to open them in presence of the officials of the police, Tahsildar or Deputy Commissioner’s office. All efforts should be made to plug loopholes in the collections made in these temples, Gupta said.
He asked them to prepare a master plan for the development of Chamundi Hills.
, which has a few temples, including the famous Chamundi Temple, the Deputy Commissioner asked them to draw up a plan for the development of the Bommiah Choultry near Banumiah Chowk from the Chamundi Temple funds.
