Temple Executive Officer Suspended Following Surprise Inspection in Hyderabad
In a significant development, the executive officer of the Chikkadpalli Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple in Hyderabad has been suspended following a surprise inspection conducted by the endowments department on Monday morning. The inspection revealed widespread irregularities in the temple's management and functioning, prompting immediate action from authorities.
Serious Lapses in Temple Management Uncovered
Endowments department commissioner Hanumantha Rao led the early morning inspection that resulted in the suspension of EO K Ramamjaneyulu. The department discovered serious accountability issues in the management of jewellery, gold, and silver ornaments donated to the temple by devotees over the years.
One particularly concerning case involved a 2.3 kg silver crown donated by a devotee. The inspection revealed that this valuable offering was not properly receipted and, although it had been given to a goldsmith for modification four years ago, it had never been retrieved. When the donor sought clarification about the crown's status, temple officials responded that no receipt had been issued and therefore no responsibility was acknowledged.
Multiple Regulatory Violations Documented
The inspection team documented several other violations of temple management protocols:
- Jewellery appraisals were not conducted annually as required by regulations
- Proper registers were not maintained for temple assets
- The biometric system for attendance and management was not being utilized
- The temple premises lacked proper cleanliness and sanitation controls
- There was inadequate supervision of other officials' duties
Underweight Offerings to Devotees Discovered
Perhaps most troubling to regular devotees, the inspection revealed that daily offerings were consistently below their stated weights. Specifically, pulihora (tamarind rice) was found to be 170 grams instead of the promised 200 grams, and laddus (sweet balls) weighed only 76 grams instead of the standard 80 grams.
"This represents a direct breach of trust with devotees who expect proper measurements for their offerings," noted one official familiar with the inspection findings.
Financial Mismanagement Affecting Temple Revenue
The inspection also uncovered significant financial irregularities. Rental income, described as a key revenue source for the temple, was not being properly monitored. Furthermore, there appeared to be little interest in collecting millions of rupees owed to the temple, directly affecting the endowments department's overall income.
Sanctum Sanctorum in Poor Condition
Adding to the list of concerns, the endowments department found that the sanctum sanctorum (the innermost chamber of the temple) was in poor condition. Repairs have been scheduled to take place after the upcoming Brahmotsavam festivities conclude.
Recommendations for Digital Transformation
In response to the discovered irregularities, the department has recommended digitalization of temple services, including ticketing systems and the elimination of manual registers that have proven vulnerable to mismanagement.
Commissioner Hanumantha Rao emphasized that negligence in temple management duties would not be tolerated and that those responsible for the irregularities would face appropriate consequences. The immediate suspension of the executive officer serves as a clear message about the department's commitment to proper temple administration and accountability.
