In Hyderabad, a significant change is underway for temples in the state. Temples classified as 6A and 6B must now submit their yearly budget plans to the government for approval. If a budget exceeds Rs 10 lakh, it requires the Endowments Minister’s approval following a detailed review.
This new requirement addresses previous practices where temple officials approved budgets without government awareness. The change follows the Telangana Charitable and Hindu Religious Institutions and Endowments Act 1987 guidelines.
Endowments Minister Konda Surekha recently discovered that department officials were approving budgets independently. As a result, she instructed officials to ensure 6A and 6B temple budgets are sent to the government for approval.
Temples are categorized into 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6D. The 6A category includes three temples under the Joint Commissioner cadre (Vemulawada, Bhadrachalam, and Yadagirigutta), each earning over Rs five crore annually. The Deputy Commissioner cadre covers 15 temples with incomes above Rs three crore. Assistant Commissioner cadre temples earn between Rs one crore and Rs two crore, while 6B temples have incomes from Rs two lakh to Rs 25 lakh. Smaller temples, earning Rs 50,000 to Rs two lakh, are 6C, while mutts fall under 6D without income criteria.
Public representatives often find it challenging to answer budget questions for temples in their areas, as decisions are made at lower administrative levels. The minister is using Section 154 of the Act to ensure better management and transparency.
Now, all 6A and 6B temple budgets must receive government approval before funds are released. A senior official emphasized that these orders align with Sections 34 and 154 of the Act, promoting transparency and accountability in temple management.
